Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Pulled with arm tightness
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McKenzie was removed from Sunday's Cactus League start against the Reds as a precautionary measure due to right arm tightness, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The 25-year-old delivered a scoreless first inning during his final start of spring training Sunday but never returned to the mound. Any arm injury is a concerning development -- especially this late in spring training -- which leaves McKenzie's availability for the start of the regular season up in the air.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Shaky control Sunday
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McKenzie allowed three runs on three hits and three walks over 1.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game versus the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.
"He had trouble leveraging his fastball down," manager Terry Francona said after the game. McKenzie's control issues can likely be attributed to just an off game -- he posted an excellent 2.1 BB/9 and 0.95 WHIP while adding 190 strikeouts in 191.1 innings a year ago. The Guardians are expected to have Shane Bieber start Opening Day, but McKenzie shouldn't be too far behind him in the rotation.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Set to start Saturday
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McKenzie is scheduled to start Game 3 of the Guardians' ALDS matchup with the Yankees on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
McKenzie was on track to take the ball Friday, but Game 2 of the series was delayed a day by rain, and Cleveland will simply push both Shane Bieber and McKenzie back a day.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Yields one run
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McKenzie allowed one run on four hits over five frames against the Royals on Monday. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.
McKenzie gave up a run in the third inning but otherwise worked a pretty clean outing. The 25-year-old righty ended his regular season by allowing three or fewer runs in his final 11 starts, posting a 2.27 ERA through 71.1 innings during that stretch. On the year, McKenzie registered an impressive 2.96 ERA with a 190:44 K:BB across 31 appearances (30 starts).
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Six strong innings
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McKenzie allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out six across six innings Wednesday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
McKenzie allowed his lone run of the night in the second inning but surrendered only a bunt single across his final four frames. He has now turned in four consecutive quality starts, allowing only six earned runs across 28 innings while posting a 32:3 K:BB in that span. For the season, McKenzie owns a 2.99 ERA with 186 strikeouts across 186.1 frames.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Posts 13 strikeouts in win
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McKenzie (11-11) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits over eight innings in an 8-2 victory over the White Sox. He struck out 13.
McKenzie allowed his runs in the form of a fourth-inning home run off the bat of third baseman Yoan Moncada and a seventh-inning RBI single from Gavin Sheets. The righty has thrown seven innings or more eight times in his last 15 starts. In addition, the 25-year-old has generated a lot of swings-and-misses during his last seven outings, recording 56 strikeouts over 45.2 innings.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Punches out eight
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McKenzie allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings against Minnesota on Friday. He struck out eight and did not factor in the decision.
Despite the quality start, McKenzie was in danger of taking his 12th loss before Cleveland staged a late comeback. He's now given up three or fewer runs in eight straight starts, registering a 2.32 ERA and a 54:11 K:BB during that stretch. He also forced double-digit swinging strikes in four consecutive outings. On the year, McKenzie owns a 3.08 ERA across 28 appearances. The 25-year-old is expected to face the White Sox on the road next week.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Start pushed to Friday
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McKenzie had his next start pushed back to Friday versus the Twins, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
McKenzie was originally slated to start Thursday's matchup with the White Sox, but he will now toe the rubber in the opener against the Twins on Friday. It is not yet clear why the team opted to push him back, and more information will likely be provided after Wednesday's contest. Hunter Gaddis is expected to be called up to start Thursday in McKenzie's place.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Collects 10th win
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McKenzie (10-11) allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five over seven scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Twins.
McKenzie was excellent and received sufficient support to help him earn his first win in four starts. This was his seventh scoreless outing in 27 appearances (26 starts) this season, though the Guardians' usually steady bullpen nearly cost him the victory. McKenzie has been excellent throughout the year with a 3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 159:43 K:BB across 165.1 innings. He's projected for a home start versus the White Sox next week if the Guardians stay on turn.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: No-decision versus Royals
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McKenzie allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Royals on Monday.
McKenzie pitched well for four innings but gave up a two-run home run to Drew Waters in the fifth. The Royals added another run to McKenzie's ledger in the sixth, and he ended up one out shy of a quality start. He's now missed that achievement in two straight outings after recording four in a row. For the season, the right-hander has a 3.18 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 154:41 K:BB through 158.1 innings across 26 outings (25 starts). He remains at a 9-11 record heading into a projected road start in Minnesota this weekend.
McKenzie (9-11) was charged with the loss after he pitched five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven Wednesday versus the Orioles.
McKenzie didn't have his best stuff Wednesday, failing to pitch at least six innings for the first time since July 23. He walked in a run in the top of the third frame and surrendered a solo homer to Gunnar Henderson in the fourth. The outing snapped the 25-year-old's streak of four consecutive quality starts. McKenzie has produced a 2.48 ERA with 36 strikeouts over 32.2 innings in his last five outings.
McKenzie (9-10) allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four across six innings to take the loss Thursday against the Mariners.
All the damage against McKenzie came in the first inning when he surrendered a three-run homer to Mitch Haniger. McKenzie recovered from there and managed to turn in his fourth consecutive quality start. Since the All-Star break, he has maintained a 3.11 ERA with 46:10 K:BB across 46.1 frames.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Strikes out 14 in win
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McKenzie (9-9) yielded two runs on six hits over seven innings Friday, striking out 14 and earning a win over the White Sox.
McKenzie was nearly untouchable Friday and set new career highs with 25 swinging strikes and 14 punchouts. After allowing two runs on four hits in the first inning, he retired 18 of the next 20 batters, including 13 via strikeout. The 25-year-old lowered his season ERA to 3.11 with a strong 138:35 K:BB over 141.2 innings. Since the start of July, McKenzie is 5-3 with a 1.91 ERA across nine starts. He'll look to keep the momentum rolling in Seattle next week.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Downed by homers
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McKenzie (8-9) allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three across 6.2 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Blue Jays.
McKenzie served up a home run to lead off both the fifth and seventh innings, which ultimately led to his ninth loss of the season. The outing marked the first time that McKenzie allowed multiple homers in seven starts entering Saturday's start, during which time he maintained a 1.70 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 48:12 K:BB across 47.2 frames. For the season, McKenzie has a 3.14 ERA with a 124:35 K:BB in 134.2 innings.
McKenzie (8-8) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out eight in eight scoreless innings to earn the win over the Astros on Sunday.
McKenzie was charged with a loss in each of his last two starts, but he was dominant while tossing just 91 pitches (66 strikes) over eight innings Sunday. He didn't get much run support from the Guardians' offense during the pitching duel, but he still managed to pick up his eighth win of the season. After giving up nine runs (eight earned) in 13 innings over his last two starts, it was encouraging to see the right-hander regain the dominance that he displayed when he posted a 0.34 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 26.2 innings over his first four starts in July. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Toronto on Saturday.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Strikes out seven in loss
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McKenzie (7-8) took the loss Tuesday against Arizona, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven in six innings.
McKenzie got off to a rough start, allowing the first four batters to reach safely including a three-run homer by Christian Walker. He then settled down and retired 10 straight batters before getting knocked around for two more runs in the fifth. After giving up just one run combined in his first four starts in July, the 25-year-old has allowed four earned runs in consecutive starts. With 120 innings on the season, he's matched last year's big-league total.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Yields four runs in loss
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McKenzie (7-7) took the loss against Boston on Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six batters over seven innings.
McKenzie held the Red Sox scoreless through five frames, but he fell behind when Xander Bogaerts tagged him for a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Cleveland's offense couldn't muster an adequate response, and McKenzie ended up with his seventh loss of the season. Despite the disappointing outcome, the right-hander pitched well overall, racking up 14 swinging strikes and completing seven innings for the third time in his past five starts. McKenzie was hit hard during his final two starts in June, but he's bounced back by allowing just five earned runs while posting a 33:9 K:BB over 33.2 innings in July.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Just short of quality start
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McKenzie pitched 5.2 innings, surrendering one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four in the Game 1 victory over the White Sox in Saturday's doubleheader. He did not factor into the decision.
McKenzie fired three perfect innings to open Saturday's contest before running into trouble in the fourth frame. He allowed three singles and walked a batter in the inning, but he was able to limit the damage to just one run when he got Seby Zavala to strike out with the bases loaded to end the frame. McKenzie was later removed in sixth after registering two outs. Over his last four outings, the right-hander has allowed one run over 26.2 innings, striking out 27 batters over that stretch. The hot streak has McKenzie's season ERA down to 3.11 over 107 frames in 18 appearances (17 starts).
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Continues dominance in win
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McKenzie (7-6) earned the win Thursday over Detroit, striking out 12 in eight scoreless innings while allowing five hits and zero walks.
McKenzie scattered five singles, and only one baserunner even reached scoring position. Eleven of his 12 strikeouts were swinging and he fanned five of the last seven batters he faced. It was the first time that he struck out more than eight batters in a game all season, and the 12 punchouts are a new career-best mark for the 24-year-old. Through three starts in July, he is 3-0 with 21 shutout innings, nine hits allowed (all singles) and a 23:6 K:BB.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Cruises to sixth win
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McKenzie (6-6) earned the win during Saturday's 13-1 victory over Kansas City, allowing three hits and five walks with four strikeouts in six scoreless innings.
This one got out of hand early, and McKenzie was able to coast to an easy win despite a season-high five walks thanks in part to four double plays. The 24-year-old has rebounded superbly from two poor starts to conclude June with 13 scoreless innings over his last two turns. He has a 3.47 ERA, though McKenzie's 1.01 WHIP ranks 11th among all qualified starters. He tentatively lines up to take the mound again midweek against Detroit.
