The Cleveland Guardians already lost their ace Shane Bieber to elbow surgery.
Triston McKenzie, who was supposed to be the second-best starter on the staff, is currently in the minors working through some issues.
Gavin Williams, supposed to be the third-best starter, opened the year on the injured list and recently returned.
Cleveland has had to navigate through a myriad of injuries, slumps, and unexpected situations when it comes to the rotation.
Tanner Bibee had been one of the few bright spots who had managed to stay healthy the whole year.
Until Thursday, at least.
“Tanner Bibee will be pushed back a few days because of shoulder tightness. Joey Cantillo will start on Saturday instead. Alex Cobb will make a rehab start Saturday, could be his final tuneup. Matthew Boyd is making another rehab start tonight,” Guardians insider Zack Meisel tweeted.
Tanner Bibee will be pushed back a few days because of shoulder tightness.
Joey Cantillo will start Saturday instead.
Alex Cobb will make a rehab start Saturday, could be his final tuneup.
Matthew Boyd is making another rehab start tonight.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) August 1, 2024
Guardians nation is, officially, very worried.
Granted, tightness is not necessarily problematic per se, but it could lead to tests and imaging in case it doesn’t improve.
It should be alarming, at the very least.
The shoulder is the most important body part in the science of pitching, and any change in status should be closely monitored.
For now, the team will probably monitor him closely and reevaluate the situation after a few days like Meisel reports.
Rookie Joey Cantillo will take the ball instead on Saturday.
Meisel also had news on two rehabbing Guardias pitchers: Cobb will probably make his last rehab start this weekend and could be ready to return to the rotation next week; while Boyd will take the ball on Thursday as part of his rehab.
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