Guardians' Zach Plesac: Goes unclaimed off waivers
Rotowire
Plesac cleared waivers Sunday and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.
Despite Plesac's standing as a pitcher with parts of five seasons of MLB experience and solid ratios for his career (4.20 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 12.1 K-BB%), none of the majors' other 29 organizations were willing to assume the money remaining on his $2.95 million contract for 2023. The right-hander had already taken a slight step backward from a performance standpoint over the previous two seasons before nosediving even further in 2023, as he submitted a 7.59 ERA over his first five starts before Cleveland optioned him to the minors in May. Now off the 40-man roster entirely, Plesac will face an uphill battle to make it back to the big leagues unless the Guardians lose multiple starters to injury.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Removed from 40-man roster
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Cleveland designated Plesac for assignment Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Plesac was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Triston McKenzie (shoulder), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut Sunday against Minnesota. Once a mainstay in the rotation for Cleveland, Plesac struggled with a 7.59 ERA in his five starts with the Guardians before he was optioned to Triple-A Columbus early in May. Because of his previous success in the majors, it won't be a surprise if the right-hander draws interest from another organization via trade or a waiver claim, but he's a reclamation project at this stage of his career.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Optioned to Triple-A
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Plesac was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Plesac had been one of the longest-tenured members of the Guardians' rotation but has lost his spot after posting a 7.59 ERA in five starts. Peyton Battenfield will start in Plesac's spot Friday against the Twins with Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee remaining in the rotation, as well.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Pulled after 3.1 innings
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Plesac did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk over 3.1 innings against the Red Sox. He struck out one.
Plesac got hit around again Saturday, giving up at least seven hits for the fourth time in five starts while being unable to make it through the fourth frame. Rafael Devers took him yard in the first, setting the tone for what would become a dreadful outing, with a three-run homer that plated Alex Verdugo and Masataka Yoshida. Plesac ran into trouble again in the fourth, giving up a pair of doubles to Raimel Tapia and Enmanuel Valdez, who both ended up scoring on singles by Christian Arroyo and Connor Wong. Through 21.1 innings, Plesac owns a 7.59 ERA to go along with an abysmal 5.91 K/9 and remains a firm stay away in most formats.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Stuck with loss in nightcap
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Plesac (1-1) took the loss Saturday as the Guardians were downed 3-2 by the Marlins in the second game of a doubleheader, giving up three runs on 10 hits and two walks over five-plus innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander was locked in a 1-1 pitchers duel with Braxton Garrett until he hit the wall in the sixth inning, allowing three straight hits to begin the frame and watching two of them eventually come around to score. Plesac exited after 90 pitches (65 strikes), but pitching wasn't the reason Cleveland got swept Saturday -- the team's offense managed only three runs in 18 innings. While Plesac's 6.50 ERA and 13:4 K:BB through 18 innings to begin the season are discouraging, there is a thin silver lining as he's served up only two homers, after coming into 2023 with a career 1.39 HR/9. He'll look to continue keeping the ball in the park -- but with better results -- in his next start, which is likely to come next weekend in Boston.
Plesac and the Guardians won't play Friday against the Marlins after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Cleveland.
The game will be made up as part of a traditional doubleheader Saturday, with the first contest beginning at 3:10 p.m. EDT. Plesac will start the nightcap while Shane Bieber takes the hill for the early tilt.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Earns win after five strong innings
Rotowire
Plesac (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits and zero walks over five innings during a 6-4 victory over the Nationals. He struck out one.
Plesac surrendered three runs in the first, but only one was charged as an earned run due to a throwing error from Jose Ramirez. The right-hander got some run support, and despite giving up a go-ahead, RBI double from Keibert Ruiz in the fourth, Plesac was in line for the win after he was taken out thanks to a two-run homer by Ramirez in the fifth. After a shaky first start, Plesac has allowed four earned runs over his past two outings (12 innings) while posting a solid 7:1 K:BB during those contests.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Fans six in no-decision
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Plesac did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk over seven innings in a 7-6 win over the Mariners.
After struggling in his season debut, Plesac began his second start by giving up a two-run homer to Cal Raleigh in the first inning. However, the right-hander shut down the Mariners for the rest of his outing before exiting in the eighth. The Guardians completed a thrilling comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning, culminating in a walkoff fielder's choice from Josh Bell in the 12th. With this performance, Plesac drastically improved his numbers and currently holds a 9.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with seven strikeouts through eight innings. The 28-year-old is tentatively set to return to the mound next weekend in the upcoming series against the Nationals.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Chased in second inning
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Plesac allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk in one inning during Monday's win over Oakland. He struck out one and did not factor in the decision.
Plesac gave up one run in the first before unraveling in the second. He gave up five runs without recording an out, capped off by Jace Peterson's three-run shot that bounced him from the game. Plesac threw 35 of 53 shots for strikes and forced seven whiffs. He's lined up for a home start against the Mariners this weekend.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Uneven pitching in Cactus League
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Plesac has allowed eight runs on 15 hits with an 11:4 K:BB across 13 innings during Cactus League play.
Plesac is still projected for a spot in the Guardians' rotation, but his ineffective pitching in the spring is reason for concern. He was just alright a year ago with a 4.31 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 100:38 K:BB over 131.2 innings. Plesac should have a chance to get things sorted out early in the season, but strong work from Hunter Gaddis or Xzavion Curry at Triple-A Columbus could shake things up at the back of the rotation.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Avoids arbitration with Guardians
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Plesac signed a one-year, $2.95 million contract with the Guardians on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
It's a nice salary bump for Plesac, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander had an up-and-down 2022 campaign, finishing with a 4.31 ERA and 100:38 K:BB across 131.2 frames. For fantasy purposes, Plesac is likely to be a streaming option again in 2023.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Takes loss in return
Rotowire
Plesac (3-12) gave up one earned run on seven hits and a walk while striking out one over 3.2 innings to take the loss in a 7-1 defeat to the Royals on Saturday.
Plesac allowed three straight two-out doubles in the top of the fourth, which gave the Royals all the run production they needed to hand Plesac his 12th loss of the season. Only one of the four runs that Plesac allowed were earned due to a throwing error by third baseman Gabriel Arias. It was Plesac's first start since August 28th when he fractured his pitching hand after punching the mound in frustration. The appearance is best viewed as a tune-up start before the Guardians finalize their postseason rotation. The 27-year-old right-hander finishes the regular season with an ERA of 4.34.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Activated prior to start
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Plesac (hand) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Saturday's game against the Royals, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Plesac was initially slated to start Friday against Kansas City but was ultimately pushed back to Saturday. However, he'll officially have at least one more chance to pitch for the Guardians ahead of the playoffs. The right-hander will likely take on a bullpen role for Cleveland once the postseason begins.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Start pushed back to Saturday
Rotowire
Plesac (hand) will now start Saturday's game against the Royals, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander was initially slated to return from the injured list to start Friday's matchup against Kansas City, but he'll be pushed back a day since Aaron Civale will now take the mound Friday. The altered rotation plans also mean that Civale lines up to start Wednesday's regular-season finale, while Saturday's start will likely be Plesac's last of the regular season. It's possible that Plesac moves to a bullpen role during the playoffs.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Confirmed for Friday's start
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Plesac (hand) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday against the Royals, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.
Plesac is throwing a bullpen session Tuesday in advance of the start. He struck out five while allowing two hits and zero walks over five scoreless innings in his lone rehab start. Plesac could possibly start the final game of the season Oct. 5 as well, which is also at home against the Royals.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Throws sim game
Rotowire
Plesac (hand) threw 45 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Plesac had no apparent setbacks after the sim game, so he's taken another step forward in his recovery. It's unclear what his next step will be, and it's also uncertain if he'll have enough time to get stretched out before the end of the regular season. With Cody Morris pitching fairly well in Plesac's absence, there may not be a spot in the rotation for the 27-year-old right-hander once he can return.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Begins throwing again
Rotowire
Plesac (hand) was cleared to play catch from 90 feet last Friday and is expected to begin doing more baseball activities in the coming days, MLB.com reports.
Plesac was able to take the first meaningful step forward in his recovery from the fractured right hand after getting the green light from a specialist last week to start throwing again. Manager Terry Francona said that Plesac will be re-examined every six or seven days before advancing to the next phase of his rehab regimen, so he's likely still at least two weeks away from being at a point where he would be ready to pitch in a competitive setting. Due to the nature of his injury and the timing of his placement on the injured list, Plesac might not have enough time to get fully stretched out for a starting role and could be deployed out of the bullpen initially whenever he's activated.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: To IL with fractured pitching hand
Rotowire
Plesac was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a fractured right hand, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Considering this is Plesac's pitching hand, this probably means he is done for the regular season. Top prospect Cody Morris is starting in Plesac's place Friday and could stick in the rotation.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Scratched Friday with hand injury
Rotowire
Plesac was scratched from Friday's scheduled start due to a right hand injury, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Highly regarded pitching prospect Cody Morris will be starting in Plesac's place. It's unclear how serious the injury is, but Meisel said more information will come soon on that front.
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Guardians' Zach Plesac: Wins quality start
Rotowire
Plesac (3-11) earned the win during Saturday's 4-3 victory over Seattle, allowing three runs on three hits with six strikeouts in seven innings.
Making his first start since Aug. 16, Plesac limited the damage to three Seattle solo home runs and fell in line for the win after Cleveland scored three runs in the top of the eighth to take the lead. The 27-year-old tossed 65 of 95 pitches for strikes with 11 of the swinging variety en route to six strikeouts, and he's now struck out 27 batters across 28 innings over his last five starts despite posting a 7.0 K/9 on the season.
