Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Outrighted to Triple-A
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The Guardians outrighted McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
It's a bit of a surprise there wasn't another organization willing to take a chance on getting McKenzie to rediscover his old form. As it is, the right-hander has accepted an outright assignment and will likely be inserted into the rotation at Columbus.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Booted from 40-man roster
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The Guardians designated McKenzie for assignment Monday.
McKenzie has struggled in a mop-up role this season, allowing seven runs with a 4:7 K:BB over 5.2 innings. The 27-year-old holds just a 5.46 ERA, 21.2 percent strikeout rate and 15.6 percent walk rate since the start of the 2023 campaign and has dealt with arm issues during that stretch. McKenzie comes with team control through 2027, but his lack of minor-league options is likely to hurt his appeal on waivers.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Has wayward command
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McKenzie allowed three runs on three hits, four walks and a wild pitch Saturday while striking out three over 1.2 innings in a 10-4 loss to the Angels.
Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt hoped the right-hander could provide some length after starter Tanner Bibee was chased with none out in the fifth inning, but McKenzie did nothing to quiet the Angels. The Guardians have been waiting for the 27-year-old to rediscover his 2022 form (2.96 ERA as a starter), but to no avail. He was moved to the bullpen after a rocky Cactus League season in which he allowed 10 runs, 15 hits and eight walks over 13 innings.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Shifting to bullpen
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The Guardians announced Sunday that McKenzie will begin the season operating as a reliever, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander had a 7.50 ERA and 10:7 K:BB over 12 innings during spring training, while Logan Allen's 1.89 ERA helped him earn a rotation spot. McKenzie could still see some spot starts this year, but he'll likely need to perform better than his 5.11 ERA over 75.2 regular-season innings in 2024 to get an extended look in the rotation.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Throws in relief
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McKenzie walked two, hit a batter and struck out two over one scoreless inning of relief in Friday's spring game against the Giants.
McKenzie, who made three Cactus League starts prior to Friday's relief appearance, managed to avoid damage despite loading the bases. He entered camp as one of several options competing for a spot in the rotation, but the right-hander's 8.18 ERA and location issues seemingly have the Guardians moving him to the bullpen.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Shows improvement
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McKenzie allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out three over 3.2 innings in Monday's Cactus League start against the Cubs.
There was a lot of traffic during McKenzie's third Cactus League start, but Monday's mixed-result effort was much better than his previous outing. The right-hander walked five and retired just two of seven batters during his second spring start 12 days ago. The seven hits suggest command was inconsistent, but McKenzie amassed 13 whiffs among his 60 offerings, indicating he can be effective when locating. The improvement from his second spring outing keeps him alive in the battle for a spot in the rotation. He was among the five starters in the projected Opening Day roster compiled by Mandy Bell and Tim Stebbins of MLB.com.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Cedes homer in spring debut
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McKenzie allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over two innings in Saturday's spring game against the Reds.
McKenzie is looking to turn the page on a disappointing 2024, when he finished the season at Triple-A Columbus. He mainly used his four-seamer, which was noticeably faster than the 91.1 mph it averaged last season, and gave up a lot of hard contact, including a first-inning home run to Elly De La Cruz. It was an efficient outing for the right-hander, who got several quick outs during his first Cactus League outing.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Starting spring opener
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McKenzie will start Saturday's spring opener against the Reds, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.
It will be a big moment for McKenzie, who teased the Guardians with a strong 2022 before injuries, including an elbow issue, limited him to four starts the following season. He was able to avoid Tommy John surgery but spent the second half of 2024 in the minors. Reports on his bullpen and live BP sessions on the back fields track his fastball velocity up to 95 mph, which is higher than the 92.5 mph he posted during the healthy 2022 campaign. The right-hander is one of several starters competing for a job behind ace Tanner Bibee.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Avoids arbitration
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McKenzie agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
McKenzie spent the first half of 2024 with the Guardians, posting a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 75.2 innings (16 starts). He continued to struggle to the tune of a 5.23 ERA after being demoted to Triple-A Columbus in June. Despite his poor performance, the 27-year-old righty will receive a $350,000 raise in 2025, but he should remain off fantasy managers' radar until he's able to regain command over his pitches.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Demoted to Triple-A
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The Guardians optioned McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Through the first three months of the 2024 season, the historically injury prone McKenzie has enjoyed a clean bill of health, but he's performed well below expectations for both the Guardians and fantasy managers alike. After failing to escape the third inning while giving up five earned runs in his most recent start Friday in Kansas City, McKenzie now holds a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 75.2 innings on the season. The Guardians will send the right-hander to the minors with the hope that he'll be able to return to form and eventually slot back into the big-league rotation. Gavin Williams (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and will fill McKenzie's spot in the rotation during the upcoming week.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Roughed up in loss
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McKenzie (3-5) took the loss Friday in Kansas City, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings with three strikeouts.
The Cleveland right-hander closed out a tough month with this performance, failing to pitch past the third inning for the third consecutive start. Over five June starts, McKenzie posted a 9.33 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 19:15 K:BB across 18.1 innings. The 26-year-old is currently scheduled to face the White Sox at home in his next outing.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Short outing vs. Mariners
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McKenzie (3-4) took the loss Tuesday against Seattle, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks over 2.1 innings without recording a strikeout.
After holding the Mariners scoreless through his first two innings, McKenzie allowed five of the first six batters to reach safely in the third, ultimately surrendering four runs before the Guardians turned to the bullpen. The 26-year-old McKenzie has struggled of late -- he hasn't made it through six innings in five straight starts, posting a 7.04 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA is up to 4.48 on the season with a 1.46 WHIP and 65:42 K:BB across 70.1 innings. He'll look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled for this weekend at home versus Toronto.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Does enough for third win
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McKenzie (3-3) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out four.
The right-hander got a quick hook after 75 pitches (43 strikes) with the Guardians ahead 3-2, but the bullpen and offense were able to secure McKenzie's first win since April 19. He's failed to complete six innings in any of his last four trips to the mound, but on the bright side, he kept the ball in the yard Tuesday after serving up eight homers over his three prior outings. McKenzie will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 65:38 K:BB through 68 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Escapes with no-decision
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McKenzie came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Royals, surrendering five runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.
He was taken deep twice by Bobby Witt and once by Hunter Renfroe as McKenzie dug a 5-0 hole through four innings, but the Guardians were able to climb out of it. The right-hander's suddenly having trouble keeping the ball in the park -- after serving up only six homers over his first nine starts of the season, McKenzie's coughed up multiple long balls in three straight outings and has a 7.04 ERA over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend in Miami.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Allows four runs at Colorado
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McKenzie gave up four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out nine over five innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Tuesday.
Kris Bryant and Elehuris Montero each tagged McKenzie for a two-run home run. Despite those homers, McKenzie left the game in line for the win before the Guardians' bullpen faltered in the sixth inning. The right-hander had limited opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last seven outings before his step back Tuesday. McKenzie is at a 3.77 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 54:34 K:BB over 57.1 innings across 11 starts. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Royals in a tough divisional matchup.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Quality start in no-decision
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McKenzie did not factor into the decision Friday against the Twins, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out five.
McKenzie posted his second consecutive quality start, and the Cleveland right-hander has made six straight starts in which he's allowed two or fewer runs while generating five or more strikeouts, producing a 2.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 35:19 K:BB in 34 innings over that stretch. McKenzie is scheduled to face the Mets at home in his next outing.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Solid in no-decision
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McKenzie didn't factor into the decision Monday against Detroit, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.
McKenzie settled in nicely after allowing a solo home run to Riley Greene on his first pitch of the day, striking out three straight to close out the first and keeping the Tigers from adding on more runs. He's now allowed two or fewer runs and struck out at least six batters in four consecutive starts, bringing his ERA to 3.97 through 34 innings. However, McKenzie still appears to have the training wheels on after missing most of the 2023 season with elbow and shoulder injuries, as he's been kept under 85 pitches in five of his seven starts this year. McKenzie is tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox in Chicago on Saturday.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Solid over seven frames
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McKenzie did not factor into the decision in a win over the Astros on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out six.
McKenzie was highly effective Wednesday despite getting down in the count early and often, striking out at least six batters for the third consecutive start, with five of those strikeouts coming on his curveball. The right-hander issued only one free pass in the contest, which marked a season best, while also going seven innings for the first time in the early campaign. McKenzie has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last three starts after surrendering a season-high five runs against the Yankees back on April 13.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Fans six in blowout victory
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McKenzie (2-2) earned the win Friday against Oakland, allowing one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out six batters across five innings.
It seemed McKenzie would be in for another rough outing once he surrendered a leadoff home run to Abraham Toro on just the third pitch of the game, but the 26-year-old right-hander was able to keep Oakland's bats quiet for five innings after that point. His six strikeouts were more than he had accumulated all season heading into Friday's contest, though he still holds an ugly 11:15 K:BB. McKenzie is tentatively scheduled to make his next start at home against Boston on Thursday.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Issues six walks in loss
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McKenzie took the loss in game two of a doubleheader against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and six walks while striking out one.
McKenzie walked the first two batters he faced before going on to surrender two runs in the opening frame, though only one of those would count against him due to a fielding error on the part of Andres Gimenez. The right-hander was then able to get through the next two innings unscathed before once again issuing back-to-back walks to lead off the fourth, eventually leading to four more runs coming home for New York. McKenzie issued a season-high six walks in the contest and now holds a putrid 5:12 K:BB early in the campaign. He's also failed to make it through five innings in two of his first three starts.
