The Cleveland Guardians are cruising through an easy portion of their schedule and have now opened up a comfortable 5.5-game lead in the AL Central over the Kansas City Royals with a 43-22 record.
The team has had to patch things together in the starting rotation, especially after losing ace Shane Bieber early in the season to Tommy John surgery, but manager Stephen Vogt has said that reinforcements are right around the corner.
Vogt said that Ben Lively checked out just fine and is on track to make his next start, while Gavin Williams is scheduled to make another rehab start on Saturday and is slated to throw four innings and around 65 pitches, per Mandy Bell.
Stephen Vogt said Ben Lively checked out OK and is on track to make his next start.
Gavin Williams is scheduled to make his next rehab start on Saturday. Four innings, 65 pitches.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) June 11, 2024
Lively’s status was up in the air due to an undisclosed injury, but he won’t miss a turn in the rotation and is projected to start Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
He has been a revelation this season and currently sports a 6-2 record with a minuscule 2.59 ERA while quietly making a push for an All-Star bid.
Williams hasn’t pitched yet this season after being shut down twice with elbow discomfort, but he is scheduled for a third rehab start and is getting closer and closer to getting back to the bigs.
Williams posted a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts last season and at 24 years of age, the big righty will look to take the next step in his development this year to become an anchor for this rotation for years to come.
All is well in Cleveland at the moment.
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