The Cleveland Guardians have suffered their fair share of pitching injuries this season.
They lost Shane Bieber for the season and are currently dealing with two hurt starters: Gavin Williams and Triston McKenzie.
They are also without reliever Trevor Stephan, and others have missed time, too.
One of them is left-hander Sam Hentges, who has been a reliable middle reliever for the team in the last two seasons.
Hentges was shut down in mid-March due to middle finger soreness on his pitching hand.
“REHAB ALERT: Guardians LHP Sam Hentges will pitch here in Akron tonight at 7:05 PM!,” the Akron RubberDucks tweeted on Friday.
🚨REHAB ALERT🚨 Guardians LHP Sam Hentges will pitch here in Akron tonight at 7:05 PM!
🗞️: https://t.co/fa10R2ocak
🎟️: https://t.co/yp5oEGQTRk pic.twitter.com/hr2GlfYmXn— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 19, 2024
The RubberDucks are the Guardians’ Double-A affiliate.
Relief pitchers often don’t require a long rehab assignment, so expect Hentges to be back with the Guards in a few days if things go right and he doesn’t have any setbacks with his finger.
He has been a key cog for Cleveland’s relief corps in the last couple of seasons.
After a mediocre first season in 2021 (6.68 ERA in 68.2 innings), he was brilliant in 2022 (2.32 ERA) and last year (3.61 ERA).
He is also one of the few reliable southpaws on the roster, specifically in the bullpen.
The Guards’ bullpen has been a strength so far this year, but getting back a reliable arm like Hentges always helps.
As he inches closer to getting to where he wants physically and pitching-wise, those on the roster bubble need to pick up the slack and start pitching better.
Competition starts on one’s own team, and those who are performing the best will keep their spots.
NEXT: Fans React To Triston McKenzie's Elbow Situation
