TRISTON MCKENZIE NEWS

Guardians Pitcher Accepts Outright Assignment After DFA News Triston McKenzie will stay in the Cleveland Guardians organization after being designated for assignment.

APRIL 28 • SI.COM

Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie accepts outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus

Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie has accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus after clearing waivers

APRIL 28

Outrighted to Triple-A The Guardians outrighted McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's a bit of a surprise there wasn't another organization willing to take a chance on getting McKenzie to rediscover his old form. As it is, the right-hander has accepted an outright assignment and will likely be inserted into the rotation at Columbus.

APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE

Guardians' sad Triston McKenzie story reaches a new low point | Sporting News Canada Cleveland once had so much hope for McKenzie.

APRIL 21 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Guardians designate Triston McKenzie for assignment CLEVELAND -- It wasn’t long ago that Triston McKenzie appeared set to anchor the Guardians’ starting rotation for years to come. But amid hi...

APRIL 21 • MLB.COM

Guardians' sad Triston McKenzie story reaches a new low point | Sporting News Cleveland once had so much hope for McKenzie.

APRIL 21 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Booted from 40-man roster The Guardians designated McKenzie for assignment Monday.

Impact McKenzie has struggled in a mop-up role this season, allowing seven runs with a 4:7 K:BB over 5.2 innings. The 27-year-old holds just a 5.46 ERA, 21.2 percent strikeout rate and 15.6 percent walk rate since the start of the 2023 campaign and has dealt with arm issues during that stretch. McKenzie comes with team control through 2027, but his lack of minor-league options is likely to hurt his appeal on waivers.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Has wayward command McKenzie allowed three runs on three hits, four walks and a wild pitch while striking out three over 1.2 innings in Saturday's 10-4 loss to the Angels.

Impact McKenzie entered after starter Tanner Bibee was chased with none out in the fifth inning and did nothing to quiet the Angels. The Guardians are hopeful that McKenzie can rediscover his 2022 form (2.96 ERA as a starter), but the 27-year-old right-hander was given plenty of chances since then to no avail. He was moved to the bullpen after a rocky Cactus League season when he allowed 10 runs, 15 hits and eight walks over 13 innings.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox Trade Pitch With Guardians Swaps Players Looking for a Fresh Start A Boston Red Sox trade pitch with the Cleveland Guardians swaps Vaughn Grissom for Triston McKenzie, giving both a fresh start.

MARCH 29 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Guardians have starting rotation set, but outfield spots are still up for grabs

Stephen Vogt has his pitching rotation sorted for the start of the season

MARCH 23

Logan Allen to make Guardians rotation; Triston McKenzie to start season in bullpen Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie both had down 2024 seasons that saw them sent to Triple-A. They're both back on the 2025 Opening Day roster...

MARCH 23 • BEACONJOURNAL.COM

Shifting to bullpen The Guardians announced Sunday that McKenzie will begin the season operating as a reliever, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Impact The right-hander had a 7.50 ERA and 10:7 K:BB over 12 innings during spring training, while Logan Allen's 1.89 ERA helped him earn a rotation spot. McKenzie could still see some spot starts this year, but he'll likely need to perform better than his 5.11 ERA over 75.2 regular-season innings in 2024 to get an extended look in the rotation.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Throws in relief McKenzie walked two, hit a batter and struck out two over one scoreless inning of relief in Friday's spring game against the Giants.

Impact McKenzie, who made three Cactus League starts prior to Friday's relief appearance, managed to avoid damage despite loading the bases. He entered camp as one of several options competing for a spot in the rotation, but the right-hander's 8.18 ERA and location issues seemingly have the Guardians moving him to the bullpen.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Cleveland Guardians name Tanner Bibee as 2025 Opening Day starter vs Kansas City Royals Tanner Bibee shouldered a heavy load in '24 while Shane Bieber and Gavin Williams went down with injuries and Triston McKenzie struggled wit...

MARCH 19 • BEACONJOURNAL.COM

Rocky spring continues McKenzie allowed four runs on six hits while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against Kansas City.

Impact McKenzie gave up a lot of loud contact, including two home runs, and did nothing to enhance his bid for the final spot in the rotation during his fourth Cactus League start. The right-hander's allowed 10 runs (8.18 ERA) on 15 hits and five walks with eight strikeouts over 11 spring innings. The one thing going for McKenzie is that he's out of minor-league options Logan Allen (1.88 ERA, 14.1 spring innings) and Joey Cantillo (7.45, 9.2) are also in the mix for the final rotation spot, but each has options remaining.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Shows improvement McKenzie allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out three over 3.2 innings in Monday's spring start against the Cubs.

Impact There was a lot of traffic during McKenzie's third Cactus League start, but Monday's mixed-result effort was much better than his previous outing. The right-hander walked five and retired just two of seven batters during his second start 12 days ago. The seven hits suggest command was inconsistent, but McKenzie amassed 13 whiffs among his 60 offerings, indicating he can be effective when locating. The improvement from his second spring outing keeps him alive in the battle for a spot in the rotation. He was among the five starters in the projected Opening Day roster compiled by Mandy Bell and Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Triston McKenzie, Juan Brito keep roster hopes alive as Guardians split exhibition games against Cubs, Royals Triston McKenzie pitched into the fourth inning and Juan Brito delivered a three-run home run for the Guardians.

MARCH 10 • CLEVELAND.COM

Good day for Logan Allen, bad day for Triston McKenzie in Guardians' 4-2 loss to White Sox Lefty Logan Allen became the first Guardians' pitcher to go more than two innings this spring on Thursday against the White Sox.

FEBRUARY 28 • CLEVELAND.COM

Cedes homer in spring debut McKenzie allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over two innings in Saturday's spring game against the Reds.

Impact McKenzie is looking to turn the page on a disappointing 2024, when he finished the season at Triple-A Columbus. He mainly used his four-seamer, which was noticeably higher than the 91.1 mph it averaged last season, and gave up a lot of hard contact, including a first-inning home run to Elly De La Cruz. It was an efficient outing for the right-hander, who got several quick outs during his first Cactus League outing.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Starting spring opener McKenzie will start Saturday's spring opener against the Reds, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.

Impact It will be a big moment for McKenzie, who teased the Guardians with a strong 2022 before injuries, including an elbow, set in the following season. He was able to avoid Tommy John surgery but spent the second half of 2024 in the minors. Reports on his bullpen and live BP sessions on the back fields tracks his fastball velocity up to 95 mph, which is higher than the 92.5 mph he posted during the healthy 2022 campaign. The right-hander is one of several starters competing for a job behind ace Tanner Bibee.

FEBRUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Triston McKenzie determined to bounce back for Guardians in 2025 Following a challenging 2024 season, Triston McKenzie is focused on contributing to Cleveland's starting rotation and postseason pursuits.

JANUARY 17 • CLEVELAND.COM

Topa, Stewart, McKenzie, Sulser reach deals ahead of tender deadline

Minnesota pitchers Justin Topa and Brock Stewart agreed to one-year contracts ahead of Friday’s tender deadline along with fellow right-hander Triston McKenzie of Cleveland and Col...

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Avoids arbitration 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.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

MLB Salary Arbitration Eligibles List

MLB Salary Arbitration Eligibles List

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Guardians' Chris Antonetti on Triston McKenzie pitching out of the bullpen and other things Chris Antonetti, the Guardians president of baseball operations, discussed a number of things as his team moves closer to the postseason.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 • CLEVELAND.COM