Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Triston McKenzie is slated to start the team's first spring training game on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. The 27-year-old was demoted to Triple-A last season and is currently fighting for one of the final spots in the starting rotation. Last season, McKenzie posted a career-worst 5.11 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP across 75 2/3 innings. He struck out 74 batters but showed weak command as he served up a hefty 14.4 percent walk rate. He was limited to just 16 innings in 2023 but was a promising starter during the 2022 season. In 2022, the right-hander posted a strong 2.96 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP in 191 1/3 innings. If McKenzie can return to form in the spring, he will likely have the edge in the final rotation spot over Jakob Junis and Joey Cantillo.

The Cleveland Guardians and pitcher Triston McKenzie avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $1.95 million deal for one year. McKenzie was the 42nd overall pick in the 2015 Draft, but after peaking with a 2.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and a 19.7% K-BB% in 2022, the last two seasons have been marred by injury and underperformance, culminating with his demotion to the minors in late June. Things didn't go well there either, posting a 5.23 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and a 9.7% K-BB% over 53 1/3 IP. The Guardians need rotation help though and McKenzie is still only 27 years old, so if he can return to some semblance of his former self, then he could help Cleveland and fantasy managers. Keep an eye on how his spring goes to see if he appears to be headed in the right direction.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie has been optioned to Triple-A on Sunday. This news shouldn't shock anyone considering how poorly McKenzie has pitched lately. McKenzie has allowed 12 earned runs and issued 11 walks over his last three starts. This season, McKenzie holds a 5.11 ERA through 16 starts with the Guardians. The potential is certainly there for McKenzie but he still needs to work through some mechanical issues in the minor leagues. In a corresponding move, right-hander Gavin Williams has been reinstated from the injured list.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie submitted his best showing of the 2024 regular season in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Houston Astros, fanning six hitters while surrendering two runs on five hits (one home run) and one walk over a season-high seven innings. It hasn't been a great start to the year for McKenzie, who missed most of last season due to injury, but he cruised through Houston's dangerous lineup in the first five innings. Kyle Tucker tagged him for a homer in the seventh, leaving McKenzie with a no-decision. The 26-year-old right-hander improved his ERA to 4.34 with a 1.48 WHIP and a troubling 24:18 K:BB over 29 innings (six starts) to begin the campaign. Monday's home start against the division-rival Detroit Tigers offers him a great chance to build on Wednesday's display. In seven career starts (43 IP) against Detroit, McKenzie has a 1.05 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 50:11 K:BB.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie is reportedly pitching through a torn ligament in his right elbow. Last year, a right teres major strain and elbow sprain limited McKenzie to just four starts (16 innings), and the hurler bypassed a potential Tommy John surgery in favor of rest and rehabilitation to heal his arm. His average fastball velocity (90.9 mph) ranks among baseball's worst to begin the 2024 season, and it's down from 92.4 mph during his injury-ruined 2023 campaign. It could explain the 26-year-old right-hander's struggles to begin the campaign, as McKenzie carries a 6.23 ERA (7.20 FIP), 1.76 WHIP, and a concerning 5:12 K:BB across 13 innings (three starts). A start at home on Friday in a favorable matchup versus the visiting Oakland Athletics could be just what the doctor ordered. In three career starts (18 1/3 IP) against the A's, McKenzie holds a 1.96 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 18:4 K:BB.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie fired 5 2/3 scoreless innings in Monday's 4-0 victory over the division-rival Chicago White Sox, allowing three hits but walking four with two strikeouts for his first win of the season. McKenzie labored through 3 1/3 innings and yielded four runs in his last time out against the Seattle Mariners, but he was far more effective on Monday. He still struggled with his control a bit, and an Andrew Benintendi single during the sixth inning would prevent him from finishing the frame. The 26-year-old right-hander is still searching for a rhythm after missing most of 2023 with an elbow injury, but he posted solid results in the spring and has given up four earned runs and six walks with four K's through nine regular-season innings. His next start is slated for Sunday in a difficult task versus the New York Yankees, but McKenzie did hurl seven one-hit innings the last time he met the Yankees back in 2022.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie took the loss on Monday, getting smacked around for five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks with only two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. McKenzie struggled in this game, as he needed about 80 pitches to get into the fourth inning. McKenzie would end up being done in by Dominic Canzone's three-run homer in the second inning. McKenzie is in line for another start later this week against the Twins. Start him at your own risk, as McKenzie could struggle again against an excellent Twins lineup tied for the most home runs as a team in 2023.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow, shoulder) missed most of the 2023 season due to elbow and shoulder injuries that dated back to spring training. McKenzie had a right teres-major strain in his shoulder to begin the year and made two starts in June before going on the injured list with a right-elbow strain. He returned to make two starts at the end of September. The 26-year-old said has had a more gradual buildup to the 2024 season and is feeling great heading into spring training. Given the fact that McKenzie had a sharp 2.96 ERA in 30 starts in 2022, he'll be a worthwhile buy-low option for fantasy managers this spring, albeit one that comes with some injury risk and an innings limit.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie looks to end an injury-ruined year on a positive note in Saturday's start against the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander's rise to potential stardom was curbed by shoulder and elbow injuries in 2023, limiting him to 11 2/3 innings with a 6.23 ERA and 1.63 WHIP ahead of his final appearance. McKenzie's season finale is ripe for the picking; he is 3-1 with an 0.93 ERA and 49 strikeouts in six careers starts (38 2/3 innings) versus the Tigers. The 26-year-old could be on a pitch count of sorts in his second start back off the injured list and one without playoff implications, but season-long managers will hope he can qualify for a win if it presents itself by getting through at least five innings.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (elbow) is slated to start Sunday's series finale versus the Baltimore Orioles. The right-hander made his second minor-league rehab start on Tuesday, throwing 3 2/3 three-run innings with two strikeouts after allowing one run with four punchouts in his first rehab game on Sep. 13. Shane Bieber returned on Friday from his lengthy absence due to an elbow injury, so these comebacks act as a silver lining amid a lost Guardians season. McKenzie hasn't been seen since mid-June with a right elbow sprain after getting a late start to the year off a right teres major strain, limiting him to 10 innings this year. Expect the 26-year-old to be on a pitch count of sorts in a tough matchup on Sunday, so he's not necessarily a must-play for his return.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow) is set to make his second minor-league rehab appearance on Tuesday for Triple-A Columbus and will likely have a 65-pitch limit. McKenzie started his rehab assignment last Wednesday with a three-inning outing for Double-A Akron, allowing one run on a hit while walking one and striking out four over 44 pitches. The 26-year-old was scratched from his June 16 start with right-elbow discomfort after starting the year on the injured list with a right teres-major strain. It's been an injury-filled 2023 campaign for McKenzie after a breakout in 2022. He's made just two starts for Cleveland this year, but he's trending toward making a start or two in the big-league rotation to finish off the season.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow) is starting a minor-league rehab assignment on Wednesday with Double-A Akron. McKenzie was diagnosed with a sprained right UCL in his elbow back in the middle of June, and Wednesday's outing will be his first appearance in a game setting since then. The 26-year-old has also had a teres major muscle strain this year and has been a disappointment after a breakout in 2022. He's only made two starts at the major-league level this year and has a 4.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 10 innings. Barring another setback, McKenzie could return to Cleveland before the season is over, but he's probably not going to have much of a fantasy impact, if any.

Cleveland Guardians right-handers Shane Bieber (elbow) and Triston McKenzie (elbow) have both progressed to throwing distances exceeding 100 feet, according to manager Terry Francona. Bieber is up to 120 feet, while McKenzie's last session was at 105 feet. "They're not ready for bullpens yet, but that's on the horizon," Francona revealed. Both pitchers will eventually need to progress to throwing bullpen sessions and to live hitters before going on minor-league rehab assignments. Bieber is currently on the 60-day injured list due to right-elbow inflammation and won't be eligible to return to Cleveland's starting rotation until mid-September. McKenzie is recovering from a right UCL sprain and is also on the 60-day injured list. It's been an injury-filled 2023 for the 26-year-old, and he isn't guaranteed to return in 2023.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow) resumed a throwing program on July 28 and has played catch for five days now and hasn't felt any setbacks. McKenzie still has hopes of returning by the end of the season after being scratched from his start on June 16 with right-elbow discomfort. He's dealing with a right UCL sprain and also began the year on the injured list with a right teres major strain. McKenzie made his season debut on June 4, but he only made two starts before landing back on the IL with his UCL sprain. It's been a lost season after a breakout campaign in 2022, which makes his injuries this year all the more disappointing. McKenzie could return before the end of the season, but he won't have much time remaining to make a sizable impact in fantasy.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (elbow) played catch ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox. It marks the commencement of the 25-year-old's throwing program after initially hitting the injured list on June 17 with a right elbow strain. McKenzie still has a ways to go before potentially returning to the big-league rotation this year and isn't eligible for activation until mid-August. As it stands, the right-hander remains without a return timetable and simply aims to come back at some stage this season. It may not come until September at this rate, however, making McKenzie a redraft stash suitable primarily for fantasy rosters ahead in the standings.

The Cleveland Guardians moved starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (elbow) to the 60-day injured list on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for pitcher Chris Vallimont, who was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations. McKenzie is still hoping to return this year, but he's been shut down an additional three weeks from throwing and will not be eligible to return until the middle of August. Even if the 25-year-old right-hander avoids any more setbacks, the best bet is that he won't return for Cleveland until September. It's been tough on fantasy managers that invested in McKenzie after his 2022 breakout season, as he's only made two starts so far in 2023 due to injuries.

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie is hoping to return at some point later this season as he recovers from an elbow injury. McKenzie won't undergo surgery at this point following his UCL sprain diagnosis but will be shut down for three more weeks before initiating a throwing program moving forward. It's been a tough season for the 25-year-old from an injury perspective as he's been able to make just two starts in 2023 due to a teres muscle strain to begin the season as it took until June 4 for him to make his season debut. He would toss just 10 innings of five-run ball across two starts before being shut down with his current elbow issue. The right-hander worked to a 2.96 ERA across 31 outings (30 starts) in the 2022 campaign.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (elbow) received a second opinion on the UCL sprain in his right elbow. However, a decision hasn't been made regarding the right-hander's options moving forward. The 25-year-old had been bothered by a shoulder issue to begin the season and had made only two appearances before succumbing to his latest ailment. Without a doubt, the latest update doesn't sound promising, although McKenzie is worth stashing until fantasy managers get a better idea on how long he'll be out.

Testing and imaging done on Tuesday on Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow) confirmed a UCL sprain in his right elbow. He is expected to be shut down from throwing for several weeks as the team gathers more information and potentially a second opinion. It's a tough break for the 25-year-old, who had just recently made his 2023 debut. At best, McKenzie will probably be ready to return to Cleveland's starting rotation at some point in August. At worst, he may need season-ending Tommy John surgery that would in turn keep him out for most, if not all, of next season. Fantasy managers probably won't know more another couple of weeks, so keep him stashed until then.

The Cleveland Guardians placed right-hander Triston McKenzie (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Saturday. He was scratched from Friday's start against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to right elbow discomfort. McKenzie will miss at least the next two weeks as the severity of his elbow issue is unknown. He underwent an MRI on Friday, but the results haven't been released yet. The 25-year-old was reinstated from the injured list on June 4 after missing the first two months of the season after straining a teres major muscle in his right shoulder. McKenzie owned a 4.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 15: 4 K: BB across 10 innings over two starts in 2023. Fantasy managers should continue to stash McKenzie on their roster for now, as the Guardians will give a timeline for a return once the MRI results are in. Gavin Williams, the Guardians' top pitching prospect, is a name to keep an eye on as a potential replacement in Cleveland's rotation while McKenzie is sidelined.