Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Returns to action at Triple-A
Rotowire
McKenzie (illness) was transferred to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and pitched in relief in the team's 7-5 loss to Toledo, working around two walks and one hit in a scoreless inning.
In an effort to have McKenzie work through his control issues in a low-pressure environment, the Guardians assigned the right-hander to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on May 14, a few weeks after he was outrighted off the 40-man roster. McKenzie had struggled to a 7.24 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 13.2 innings over seven appearances in the ACL before exiting his most recent appearance June 28 due to an illness, but after addressing his mechanics behind the scenes over the past several weeks, he was cleared to join the Guardians' top affiliate. Though he came through with a scoreless frame Sunday in his return to game action, McKenzie's control problems lingered. He spotted just 15 of his 28 pitches for strikes and also threw a wild pitch.
Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Pulled early due to illness
Rotowire
McKenzie was removed from Saturday's start in the Arizona Complex League after two-thirds of an inning due to illness, SI.com reports.
McKenzie has been with the Guardian's rookie-level squad since the end of May, and he's struggled to a 6.75 ERA in six appearances. He couldn't improve upon his stats Saturday, getting lifted after two-thirds of an inning due to the ailment. The 27-year-old should be considered day-to-day.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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
Rotowire
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: Rocky spring continues
Rotowire
McKenzie allowed four runs on six hits while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against Kansas City.
McKenzie gave up a lot of loud contact, including two home runs, and did nothing to enhance his bid for the final spot in the rotation during his fourth Cactus League start. The right-hander has allowed 10 runs (8.18 ERA) on 15 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts over 11 spring innings. The one thing going for McKenzie is that he's out of minor-league options. Logan Allen (1.88 ERA, 14.1 spring innings) and Joey Cantillo (7.45, 9.2 IP) are also in the mix for the final rotation spot, but each has options remaining.
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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