Guardians' Kahlil Watson: Undergoes sports hernia surgery
Rotowire
Watson underwent sports hernia surgery Tuesday and will be sidelined 8-to-12 weeks.
It's not clear how long Watson had been dealing with a sports hernia, but the decision to have surgery was made after he visited with Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Watson should be fully recovered well ahead of spring training. The 23-year-old slashed just .239/.264/.341 with a 3:32 BB:K over his first 27 contests in the majors, but he turned in a .247/.361/.455 batting line with 19 home runs and 24 steals in 98 games with Triple-A Columbus. Watson will compete next year for playing time in the Guardians' outfield.
Guardians' Shawn Armstrong: Drawing another opener assignment
Rotowire
Armstong will serve as the Guardians' opener Monday in Game 6 of the ALCS versus the Rays, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
It will be the third appearance in as many days for Armstrong, who tossed 1.1 scoreless frames in Game 5 and another scoreless inning in Game 4. He's been lights out this postseason, allowing only two hits with a 6:0 K:BB over 7.2 scoreless frames.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Parker Messick: Lasts just two frames
Rotowire
Messick was charged with the loss in Game 5 of the ALCS against Tampa Bay on Sunday, giving up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks across two innings.
It was a messy performance from the left-hander, who needed 57 pitches (34 strikes) to record just six outs in a pivotal Game 5. After a strong second half of the regular season that saw him post a 2.30 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 in 13 starts after the All-Star break, Messick has given up nine runs (six earned) over 13.2 frames through four postseason starts. If the Guardians can win Monday to force a Game 7, Messick could be available given his shortened outing Sunday.
Guardians' Travis Bazzana: Clubs first playoff homer
Rotowire
Bazzana went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo homer in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rays on Saturday.
The rookie second baseman gave the Guardians some life with a seventh-inning solo homer that cut the deficit to 5-2, but Cleveland was able to score just one additional run. It was the first multi-hit performance of the playoffs for Bazzana, who has a .200/.294/.367 slash line with two doubles, a homer, a stolen base, two RBI and four runs through nine games.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Foster Griffin: No-decision in bulk role
Rotowire
Griffin didn't factor in the decision after giving up one run on four hits and no walks over 3.2 innings during Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rays on Saturday. He struck out five.
The left-hander allowed two runs over four innings while starting Game 1 of the series, but manager Stephen Vogt elected to have him follow opener Shawn Armstrong on Saturday. Griffin gave up a run on a double and a single during the third inning but was otherwise able to keep Tampa Bay in check. He shouldn't pitch Sunday in Game 5 after throwing 44 pitches but seems likely to be available for Game 6 and a possible Game 7.
Armstrong and the Guardians won't face the Rays on Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather.
Games 4 and 5 will both be pushed back a day as a result. Armstrong had been slated to work as an opener in Game 4 after logging 5.1 shutout innings to begin the postseason, and the Guardians will stand pat with their plan to use him in the first inning of Saturday's contest, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo will be candidates to follow Armstrong in a bulk role.
0:36
0:49
0:46
1:18
0:53
1:10
0:44
1:02
0:32
1:22
1:33
1:00
1:32
1:18
0:40
0:48
0:51
1:15
0:52
1:38
