McKenzie agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
McKenzie spent the first half of 2024 with the Guardians, posting a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 75.2 innings (16 starts). He continued to struggle to the tune of a 5.23 ERA after being demoted to Triple-A Columbus in June. Despite his poor performance, the 27-year-old righty will receive a $350,000 raise in 2025, but he should remain off fantasy managers' radar until he's able to regain command over his pitches.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Demoted to Triple-A
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The Guardians optioned McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Through the first three months of the 2024 season, the historically injury prone McKenzie has enjoyed a clean bill of health, but he's performed well below expectations for both the Guardians and fantasy managers alike. After failing to escape the third inning while giving up five earned runs in his most recent start Friday in Kansas City, McKenzie now holds a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 75.2 innings on the season. The Guardians will send the right-hander to the minors with the hope that he'll be able to return to form and eventually slot back into the big-league rotation. Gavin Williams (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and will fill McKenzie's spot in the rotation during the upcoming week.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Roughed up in loss
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McKenzie (3-5) took the loss Friday in Kansas City, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings with three strikeouts.
The Cleveland right-hander closed out a tough month with this performance, failing to pitch past the third inning for the third consecutive start. Over five June starts, McKenzie posted a 9.33 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 19:15 K:BB across 18.1 innings. The 26-year-old is currently scheduled to face the White Sox at home in his next outing.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Short outing vs. Mariners
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McKenzie (3-4) took the loss Tuesday against Seattle, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks over 2.1 innings without recording a strikeout.
After holding the Mariners scoreless through his first two innings, McKenzie allowed five of the first six batters to reach safely in the third, ultimately surrendering four runs before the Guardians turned to the bullpen. The 26-year-old McKenzie has struggled of late -- he hasn't made it through six innings in five straight starts, posting a 7.04 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA is up to 4.48 on the season with a 1.46 WHIP and 65:42 K:BB across 70.1 innings. He'll look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled for this weekend at home versus Toronto.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Does enough for third win
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McKenzie (3-3) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out four.
The right-hander got a quick hook after 75 pitches (43 strikes) with the Guardians ahead 3-2, but the bullpen and offense were able to secure McKenzie's first win since April 19. He's failed to complete six innings in any of his last four trips to the mound, but on the bright side, he kept the ball in the yard Tuesday after serving up eight homers over his three prior outings. McKenzie will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 65:38 K:BB through 68 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Escapes with no-decision
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McKenzie came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Royals, surrendering five runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.
He was taken deep twice by Bobby Witt and once by Hunter Renfroe as McKenzie dug a 5-0 hole through four innings, but the Guardians were able to climb out of it. The right-hander's suddenly having trouble keeping the ball in the park -- after serving up only six homers over his first nine starts of the season, McKenzie's coughed up multiple long balls in three straight outings and has a 7.04 ERA over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend in Miami.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Allows four runs at Colorado
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McKenzie gave up four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out nine over five innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Tuesday.
Kris Bryant and Elehuris Montero each tagged McKenzie for a two-run home run. Despite those homers, McKenzie left the game in line for the win before the Guardians' bullpen faltered in the sixth inning. The right-hander had limited opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last seven outings before his step back Tuesday. McKenzie is at a 3.77 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 54:34 K:BB over 57.1 innings across 11 starts. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Royals in a tough divisional matchup.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Shaky in no-decision
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McKenzie did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.
McKenzie didn't appear to have his best stuff Wednesday, as he'd allow three solo homers before departing with a 3-0 deficit in the sixth inning. However, the Guardians would rally for six unanswered runs in an eventual victory, sparing McKenzie the loss. Still, it's the first time in seven starts that McKenzie's allowed more than two earned runs -- he came into the day with a 2.10 ERA over his prior six outings. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander sports a 3.44 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:31 K:BB over 10 starts (52.1 innings) this season. McKenzie's next start is currently lined up for early next week against the Rockies in Colorado.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Quality start in no-decision
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McKenzie did not factor into the decision Friday against the Twins, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out five.
McKenzie posted his second consecutive quality start, and the Cleveland right-hander has made six straight starts in which he's allowed two or fewer runs while generating five or more strikeouts, producing a 2.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 35:19 K:BB in 34 innings over that stretch. McKenzie is scheduled to face the Mets at home in his next outing.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Solid in no-decision
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McKenzie didn't factor into the decision Monday against Detroit, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.
McKenzie settled in nicely after allowing a solo home run to Riley Greene on his first pitch of the day, striking out three straight to close out the first and keeping the Tigers from adding on more runs. He's now allowed two or fewer runs and struck out at least six batters in four consecutive starts, bringing his ERA to 3.97 through 34 innings. However, McKenzie still appears to have the training wheels on after missing most of the 2023 season with elbow and shoulder injuries, as he's been kept under 85 pitches in five of his seven starts this year. McKenzie is tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox in Chicago on Saturday.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Solid over seven frames
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McKenzie did not factor into the decision in a win over the Astros on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out six.
McKenzie was highly effective Wednesday despite getting down in the count early and often, striking out at least six batters for the third consecutive start, with five of those strikeouts coming on his curveball. The right-hander issued only one free pass in the contest, which marked a season best, while also going seven innings for the first time in the early campaign. McKenzie has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last three starts after surrendering a season-high five runs against the Yankees back on April 13.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Fans six in blowout victory
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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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: Reinstated for Sunday's start
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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
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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
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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.
