Cleveland Guardians starter Triston McKenzie is trying to pitch through an UCL sprain and has been since 2023.
While he doesn’t feel pain, the results have not been there in the last two years.
He was limited to 16 MLB innings in 2023 and 75.2 this year.
In both campaigns, his ERA was over 5.00.
His 2024 included a performance-based demotion to Triple-A, where he couldn’t find his way either.
But the kid is perseverant.
He is working hard to get back to where he once was: one of the best up-and-coming starters in the American League.
He was dominant as recently as 2022, when he finished with a 2.96 ERA in 191.1 innings.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was asked about McKenzie.
He said he is healthy and enjoying a great off-season.
Interesting Q & A in an article today by Jeff Zimmerman on @fangraphs on Cleveland #Guardians manager Steven Vogt's thoughts on RHP Triston McKenzie for the upcoming 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/NODpR2Mgd5
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) December 17, 2024
Vogt said he has a ‘healthy arm and a healthy body’, and chalked up his struggles in 2024 to not being healthy in the winter of 2023 and being unable to catch his stride this year.
“I expect Triston to come in ready to rock in Goodyear and hopefully earn a spot in our rotation. We all know how good Triston McKenzie can be, and the best version of him makes him the best version of us,” the skipper told Jeff Zimmerman of FanGraphs.
It’s important to point out that UCL sprains can affect command without really producing pain, so there is a chance McKenzie doesn’t return to his 2022 form if he doesn’t undergo surgery.
In the meantime, he is trying his best to resurface and establish himself as a contributor for the Guardians again.
Having him healthy and producing completely changes the equation for Cleveland.
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