Fantasy News

• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Fans six in blowout victory

  Rotowire Apr 20, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Apr 14, 2024

  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.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Throws 5.2 scoreless in win

  Rotowire Apr 8, 2024

  McKenzie (1-1) earned the victory against the White Sox on Monday, allowing no runs on three hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two. It was not the cleanest outing for McKenzie, who allowed seven baserunners, including four free passes, but he was able to keep the hapless White Sox lineup in check to earn his first win of the season. However, after making only four starts last season due to lingering shoulder and elbow issues, a scoreless, healthy outing can't be considered anything but a plus for the talented right-hander, who will be looking to top 120 innings for just the second time in his five-year career. He's tentatively slated to make his next start at home during next weekend's series against the Yankees.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Guardians-Twins postponed Sunday

  Rotowire Apr 7, 2024

  McKenzie and the Guardians won't face the Twins on Sunday due to inclement weather in Minnesota, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. The two teams are scheduled to make up the game as part of a split doubleheader Aug. 9. As a result of the postponement, McKenzie's next start will likely just be pushed back a day, so expect him to take the hill for Monday's series opener versus the White Sox in Cleveland.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Takes loss in 2024 debut

  Rotowire Apr 2, 2024

  McKenzie (0-1) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings. McKenzie breezed through his first frame without any trouble, but a pair of one-out walks in the second set the stage for the Mariners' four-run inning. The right-hander bounced back with a perfect third frame before departing with one out and the bases loaded in the fourth. It wasn't a promising campaign debut for McKenzie, as he notched just seven swinging strikes among his 78 pitches and punched out only two batters. The 26-year-old is attempting to get back on track after being limited to 16 big-league innings last season due to injuries.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Sharp in spring debut

  Rotowire Mar 7, 2024

  McKenzie struck out two batters, walked none and allowed one hit over two scoreless innings Wednesday versus the Brewers. McKenzie was a little delayed in making his spring debut, but it was an encouraging start. The right-hander is projected to be near the front of the Guardians' rotation in 2024. He pitched just 16 innings in 2023, posting a 5.06 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 16:13 K:BB while battling shoulder and elbow injuries. That health history is a concern, but McKenzie was good enough in 2022 (2.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) to be a fascinating option for fantasy managers.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Healthy heading into camp

  Rotowire Jan 22, 2024

  McKenzie said at the Guardians' FanFest event Saturday that he's "feeling great" physically, Leah Doherty of Cleveland 19 News reports. McKenzie was limited to just four starts for the Guardians in 2023 due to shoulder and elbow problems, but he finished the season healthy and has thrown without issue this winter. The right-hander noted that he's thrown more this offseason than he normally would in order to make up for lost time. McKenzie represents a buy-low option for fantasy managers, but he will remain a health risk heading into 2024.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Settles with Guardians

  Rotowire Jan 11, 2024

  McKenzie signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. McKenzie was limited to only 16 innings in 2023 due to an elbow injury, though he did end the campaign healthy. Assuming he can get through spring training unscathed, he should pair up with Shane Bieber as the two veteran leaders of the Guardians' rotation in 2024.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Reinstated for Sunday's start

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2023

  McKenzie (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start Sunday against the Orioles. The right-hander is expected to be limited to about five innings and 80 pitches in his first major-league start since June 10. McKenzie missed the first two months of the season with a shoulder strain and made just two starts before he suffered a UCL sprain. It's been a lost season for the 26-year-old, but he'll at least have the chance to make a couple starts down the stretch.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: In line to start Sunday

  Rotowire Sep 23, 2023

  McKenzie (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Orioles. He'll be the second Guardians starting pitcher this weekend to make his return from a lengthy absence due to an elbow injury, after Shane Bieber returned from the 60-day IL on Friday to cover five innings in a win over Baltimore. Like Bieber, McKenzie is expected to face a rough limit of around five innings and 80 pitches while he makes his first start for the big club since June 10 and just his third of the season. After Sunday's outing, McKenzie will likely line up for one final start during the Guardians' season-closing series in Detroit next weekend.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Second rehab start coming Tuesday

  Rotowire Sep 19, 2023

  McKenzie (elbow) is set to make the second start of his rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Columbus, MLB.com reports. After covering three innings and tossing 44 pitches in his first rehab outing last Wednesday with Double-A Akron, McKenzie will shift his rehab assignment to the Guardians' top affiliate this week for what will likely be his final start in the minors before he returns from the 60-day injured list. The Guardians are targeting McKenzie for around 65 pitches Tuesday, and if all goes well, he could slot back into the big-league rotation as soon as this Sunday versus the Orioles. McKenzie has been on the shelf since mid-June with a right UCL sprain.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Starting rehab assignment

  Rotowire Sep 13, 2023

  McKenzie (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Wednesday. McKenzie will be making his first appearance at any level since he was diagnosed with a sprained right UCL in mid-June. The right-hander also dealt with a teres major muscle strain this season, as he's been limited to just two starts for the Guardians and three rehab starts. Cleveland is still hoping to get McKenzie back before the end of the season, though if that happens, he could be subject to a more regulated workload than the Guardians' other starting pitchers.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Stretches out throwing distance

  Rotowire Aug 22, 2023

  McKenzie (elbow) has yet to resume throwing off a mound but had increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 105 feet as of Thursday, MLB.com reports. McKenzie appears to be only slightly behind Shane Bieber in their respective recoveries from elbow injuries, as Bieber has stretched out his throwing distance to 120 feet. Both pitchers are tracking toward returns from the 60-day injured list at some point in September, but any setback along the way would put McKenzie at risk of being shuttered for the remainder of the season. McKenzie is in the midst of his second IL stint of the season after he opened the campaign on the shelf while recovering from a right teres major muscle strain suffered late in spring training.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Playing catch again

  Rotowire Aug 7, 2023

  McKenzie (elbow) hasn't experienced any setbacks since he resumed playing catch July 28, MLB.com reports. According to the report, McKenzie was able to play catch on five consecutive days without issue, a good sign as he continues his recovery from a right UCL sprain. He remains hopeful to pitch again for the big club in 2023, but until he reaches the point in his rehab where he's facing live hitters, the Guardians likely won't offer up a concrete target date for his return from the 60-day injured list. Based on where he currently stands in his rehab program, McKenzie is likely at least a month away from rejoining the Cleveland rotation in a best-case scenario.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Shut down three more weeks

  Rotowire Jul 3, 2023

  McKenzie (elbow) will remain shut down for three more weeks, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports. McKenzie has already been shut down for more than two weeks after being diagnosed with partially torn right UCL in mid-June. He will attempt to rehab the injury with rest, with the goal of starting a throwing program later this month and eventually returning late in the season. Of course, Tommy John surgery is always a possibility with this type of injury if rest and rehab doesn't do the trick.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Shut down for multiple weeks

  Rotowire Jun 20, 2023

  McKenzie (elbow) will be shut down from throwing for "several weeks" after he was diagnosed Tuesday with a UCL sprain, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports. The elbow sprain prompted McKenzie's move to the 15-day injured list Saturday. He'll receive a second opinion on his injury, but McKenzie estimated it could be a month before he starts throwing again, which likely pushes his earliest potential return date into August.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Undergoing MRI on elbow

  Rotowire Jun 16, 2023

  McKenzie is getting an MRI on his right elbow Friday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The Guardians will make a decision on whether he'll need a stint on the 15-day injured list after seeing the results. McKenzie was scratched from his start versus the Diamondbacks on Friday, a concerning development after the right-hander missed the first couple of months of the season due to shoulder trouble.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Struggles in second start

  Rotowire Jun 11, 2023

  McKenzie (0-1) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters over five innings. McKenzie dazzled in his season debut against Minnesota last Sunday, allowing just one hit while striking out 10 batters over five scoreless innings. He looked far more mortal Saturday, surrendering three runs in the first frame and two more in the fourth en route to the loss. On the plus side, McKenzie missed plenty of bats in inducing 15 swinging strikes, so there's evidence to suggest that his previous start wasn't a mirage. The right-hander is tentatively lined up for a road start in Arizona his next time out.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Dazzles in return to mound

  Rotowire Jun 5, 2023

  McKenzie mowed down the Twins' lineup, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out 10 over five innings. He did not factor into the decision. McKenzie's 2023 debut was certainly one to remember. It was his seventh career double-digit strikeout game, and he became just the fifth pitcher in MLB history to throw five innings or less while allowing zero runs, striking out 10 or more and allowing 1 or fewer hits and walks. His slider was noticeably dominant in the outing. He got seven swings on it and six swing and misses for an absurd 86 percent whiff rate. It's obviously coming from a very small sample size, but fantasy managers who opted to hold on to McKenzie after the preseason injury news certainly seem to be rewarded. The 25-year-old will look to keep rolling into a home start against the Astros next weekend.

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• Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Activated for season debut

  Rotowire Jun 4, 2023

  The Guardians reinstated McKenzie (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday in Minnesota, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. McKenzie will be making his season debut after missing the first two months while recovering from a right teres major muscle strain. The right-hander was outstanding during the 2022 season with a 2.96 ERA over 191 innings, and while there may be a bit of rust to shake off, it's reasonable to expect him to be a strong fantasy option for the remainder of the 2023 campaign. He logged 10.1 innings over the course of his three-start rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus, pitching to a 4.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB.

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