Guardians' Doug Nikhazy: Optioned after spot start
Rotowire
The Guardians optioned Nikhazy to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.
Nikhazy was up as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader versus the Red Sox and struggled in a spot start in his major-league debut, allowing six runs over three innings while taking a loss. The left-hander will now rejoin the rotation at Columbus.
Nikhazy (0-1) took the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, coughing up six runs on five hits and six walks over three innings. He struck out three.
Making his MLB debut, Nikhazy managed to toss only 50 of his 90 pitches for strikes before getting a merciful hook. The 25-year-old southpaw was making a spot start due to the twin bill, and while he's had some early success at Triple-A Columbus (3.44 ERA, 22:7 K:BB in 18.1 innings) this year, Saturday's performance won't encourage Cleveland to rush him back to the majors the next time the team needs rotation depth.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Doug Nikhazy: Serving as 27th man
Rotowire
The Guardians added Nikhazy to the active roster to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against Boston, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Nikhazy will be making his MLB debut while he starts in the nightcap. The 25-year-old posted a 3.44 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 18.1 innings during his four starts in Triple-A, and he'll be welcomed to the majors by a Red Sox offense that currently owns the third-highest OPS (.721) in the American League.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Doug Nikhazy: Making MLB debut Saturday
Rotowire
The Guardians plan to recall Nikhazy from Triple-A Columbus to have him start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Red Sox, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
After optioning reliever Zak Kent to Triple-A, Cleveland initially planed to call up Nikhazy on Friday to fill the open spot in its bullpen. However, after Friday's series opener was postponed, Nikhazy's call-up will instead be pushed back a day, and he'll now be in line to start in his MLB debut due to the doubleheader creating a stretch of six games in five days for the Guardians. The 25-year-old lefty had excelled through his first four starts with Columbus this season, logging a 3.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB in 18.1 innings. Cleveland doesn't appear to have a permanent opening in the rotation for Nikhazy, so he could shift to the bullpen or head back to Triple-A following his start Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Doug Nikhazy: Faring well at Triple-A
Rotowire
Nikhazy has a 0.86 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 21 innings across four starts for Triple-A Columbus.
A second-round selection in 2021, Nikhazy has outperformed his scouting report this season. The 24-year-old lefty doesn't have an overpowering fastball (sits in the low-90s), but he has multiple above-average-to-plus secondary offerings, and his fastball has good movement. His walk rates at Double-A and Triple-A have been just north of 10 percent, which is a big improvement for him, as he had a 15.4 percent walk rate at Double-A last year. Nikhazy's 54.3 percent groundball rate at Triple-A is another mark in his favor. He could be an option to join the big-league rotation this summer.
