The Cleveland Guardians and pitcher Triston McKenzie avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $1.95 million deal for one year. McKenzie was the 42nd overall pick in the 2015 Draft, but after peaking with a 2.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and a 19.7% K-BB% in 2022, the last two seasons have been marred by injury and underperformance, culminating with his demotion to the minors in late June. Things didn't go well there either, posting a 5.23 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and a 9.7% K-BB% over 53 1/3 IP. The Guardians need rotation help though and McKenzie is still only 27 years old, so if he can return to some semblance of his former self, then he could help Cleveland and fantasy managers. Keep an eye on how his spring goes to see if he appears to be headed in the right direction.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie has been optioned to Triple-A on Sunday. This news shouldn't shock anyone considering how poorly McKenzie has pitched lately. McKenzie has allowed 12 earned runs and issued 11 walks over his last three starts. This season, McKenzie holds a 5.11 ERA through 16 starts with the Guardians. The potential is certainly there for McKenzie but he still needs to work through some mechanical issues in the minor leagues. In a corresponding move, right-hander Gavin Williams has been reinstated from the injured list.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie submitted his best showing of the 2024 regular season in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Houston Astros, fanning six hitters while surrendering two runs on five hits (one home run) and one walk over a season-high seven innings. It hasn't been a great start to the year for McKenzie, who missed most of last season due to injury, but he cruised through Houston's dangerous lineup in the first five innings. Kyle Tucker tagged him for a homer in the seventh, leaving McKenzie with a no-decision. The 26-year-old right-hander improved his ERA to 4.34 with a 1.48 WHIP and a troubling 24:18 K:BB over 29 innings (six starts) to begin the campaign. Monday's home start against the division-rival Detroit Tigers offers him a great chance to build on Wednesday's display. In seven career starts (43 IP) against Detroit, McKenzie has a 1.05 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 50:11 K:BB.
Triston McKenzie Reportedly Pitching Through Torn Ligament
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie is reportedly pitching through a torn ligament in his right elbow. Last year, a right teres major strain and elbow sprain limited McKenzie to just four starts (16 innings), and the hurler bypassed a potential Tommy John surgery in favor of rest and rehabilitation to heal his arm. His average fastball velocity (90.9 mph) ranks among baseball's worst to begin the 2024 season, and it's down from 92.4 mph during his injury-ruined 2023 campaign. It could explain the 26-year-old right-hander's struggles to begin the campaign, as McKenzie carries a 6.23 ERA (7.20 FIP), 1.76 WHIP, and a concerning 5:12 K:BB across 13 innings (three starts). A start at home on Friday in a favorable matchup versus the visiting Oakland Athletics could be just what the doctor ordered. In three career starts (18 1/3 IP) against the A's, McKenzie holds a 1.96 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 18:4 K:BB.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie fired 5 2/3 scoreless innings in Monday's 4-0 victory over the division-rival Chicago White Sox, allowing three hits but walking four with two strikeouts for his first win of the season. McKenzie labored through 3 1/3 innings and yielded four runs in his last time out against the Seattle Mariners, but he was far more effective on Monday. He still struggled with his control a bit, and an Andrew Benintendi single during the sixth inning would prevent him from finishing the frame. The 26-year-old right-hander is still searching for a rhythm after missing most of 2023 with an elbow injury, but he posted solid results in the spring and has given up four earned runs and six walks with four K's through nine regular-season innings. His next start is slated for Sunday in a difficult task versus the New York Yankees, but McKenzie did hurl seven one-hit innings the last time he met the Yankees back in 2022.
Triston McKenzie Hit Hard In Loss To Mariners Monday
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie took the loss on Monday, getting smacked around for five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks with only two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. McKenzie struggled in this game, as he needed about 80 pitches to get into the fourth inning. McKenzie would end up being done in by Dominic Canzone's three-run homer in the second inning. McKenzie is in line for another start later this week against the Twins. Start him at your own risk, as McKenzie could struggle again against an excellent Twins lineup tied for the most home runs as a team in 2023.
Triston McKenzie Feeling Good As Spring Training Approaches
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow, shoulder) missed most of the 2023 season due to elbow and shoulder injuries that dated back to spring training. McKenzie had a right teres-major strain in his shoulder to begin the year and made two starts in June before going on the injured list with a right-elbow strain. He returned to make two starts at the end of September. The 26-year-old said has had a more gradual buildup to the 2024 season and is feeling great heading into spring training. Given the fact that McKenzie had a sharp 2.96 ERA in 30 starts in 2022, he'll be a worthwhile buy-low option for fantasy managers this spring, albeit one that comes with some injury risk and an innings limit.
Triston McKenzie Looks To Wrap Up Year On High Note
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie looks to end an injury-ruined year on a positive note in Saturday's start against the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander's rise to potential stardom was curbed by shoulder and elbow injuries in 2023, limiting him to 11 2/3 innings with a 6.23 ERA and 1.63 WHIP ahead of his final appearance. McKenzie's season finale is ripe for the picking; he is 3-1 with an 0.93 ERA and 49 strikeouts in six careers starts (38 2/3 innings) versus the Tigers. The 26-year-old could be on a pitch count of sorts in his second start back off the injured list and one without playoff implications, but season-long managers will hope he can qualify for a win if it presents itself by getting through at least five innings.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (elbow) is slated to start Sunday's series finale versus the Baltimore Orioles. The right-hander made his second minor-league rehab start on Tuesday, throwing 3 2/3 three-run innings with two strikeouts after allowing one run with four punchouts in his first rehab game on Sep. 13. Shane Bieber returned on Friday from his lengthy absence due to an elbow injury, so these comebacks act as a silver lining amid a lost Guardians season. McKenzie hasn't been seen since mid-June with a right elbow sprain after getting a late start to the year off a right teres major strain, limiting him to 10 innings this year. Expect the 26-year-old to be on a pitch count of sorts in a tough matchup on Sunday, so he's not necessarily a must-play for his return.
Triston McKenzie To Make Second Rehab Start Tuesday
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow) is set to make his second minor-league rehab appearance on Tuesday for Triple-A Columbus and will likely have a 65-pitch limit. McKenzie started his rehab assignment last Wednesday with a three-inning outing for Double-A Akron, allowing one run on a hit while walking one and striking out four over 44 pitches. The 26-year-old was scratched from his June 16 start with right-elbow discomfort after starting the year on the injured list with a right teres-major strain. It's been an injury-filled 2023 campaign for McKenzie after a breakout in 2022. He's made just two starts for Cleveland this year, but he's trending toward making a start or two in the big-league rotation to finish off the season.
Triston McKenzie
• SP
•
Guardians
