Battenfield allowed three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two over two relief innings in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Red Sox.
Battenfield started his first three appearances of the season with mixed results. The strong debuts of Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee, combined with an off day in each of the next three weeks means that the Guardians can get by with five starters, and Battenfield looks as though he'll be the odd man out. Battenfield has a 4.67 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB across 17.1 innings, and there's always a chance the 25-year-old right-hander could be optioned out to Triple-A Columbus for a fresh bullpen arm if he continues to struggle.