The Cleveland Guardians remain, with some difference, the best team in the AL Central division.
They did lose to the Seattle Mariners in the series opener on Tuesday, and the starting pitching is, well, starting to become a problem.
Shane Bieber is now lost for the year with an elbow injury, while Gavin Williams is rehabbing from one of his own.
Carlos Carrasco and Logan Allen haven’t been consistent, and Triston McKenzie is clearly not healthy.
McKenzie was the pitcher for Cleveland on Tuesday, and he had arguably his worst start of the season.
It was surely his shortest: in 2.1 innings, he conceded four runs and accumulated four walks, without being able to strike out a single batter.
It’s the first time in the 2024 campaign that he fails to punch out a hitter.
McKenzie is pitching with a torn ligament in his elbow, as he opted not to have surgery last year.
That decision is looking worse with every start, and he now owns a 4.48 ERA on the season.
He owns a 7.04 ERA in his last five turns, and he doesn’t look quite right.
Fans are beginning to be concerned:
Most of them are urging him to go under the knife:
Man I love Triston McKenzie and still see so much potential. But he needs TJ get the surgery. He’s not helping anyone, including himself. Hang it up, recover, come back better than ever. Please, man.
— OG Cleveland Fan (@Cbus2CLE) June 19, 2024
Triston McKenzie needs to be shut down
— Nick LeMay (@NickLeMay_15) June 19, 2024
⚾️ Things have gotten incredibly ugly for Triston McKenzie
2.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 0 K, 4 BB, 19% CSW, 5% SwStr
He’s been pitching though a torn ligament in his elbow and we’re seeing the results of that lately. I’d be very surprised if he’s able to make it through the full year
4/
— Joe Orrico (@JoeOrrico99) June 19, 2024
Some fans even went a bit further:
I’ll say it. Triston McKenzie was selfish not opting into surgery last offseason. No reason for him to expect he’d be anything better than he currently is without it
— Rub a Dub Tugboat (@Bababouille1) June 19, 2024
At this point, it’s fair to wonder if the tall right-hander will make it to the end of the season in one piece.
It’s fair to wonder if having surgery is his best option now, but it’s certainly a chat he needs to have with the organization.
Meanwhile, the Guardians starting pitching depth chart keeps suffering hits.
The team is expected to bring in improvements before the trade deadline if it wants to continue pacing the division.
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