The Cleveland Guardians received encouraging news from Triple-A Columbus as Triston McKenzie delivered his strongest performance in recent weeks.
McKenzie struck out the side in a scoreless seventh inning against Omaha on Thursday, providing a glimpse of his former dominance during a challenging rehabilitation assignment.
McKenzie’s performance on Thursday showcased the talent that once made him a cornerstone of Cleveland’s rotation plans.
He faced three batters and struck out all of them while allowing no hits or earned runs in his one inning of work.
“Cleveland Guardians RHP Triston McKenzie struck out the side in a scoreless 7th inning of work tonight for Columbus vs Omaha. Line – 1.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 3SO (19 Pitches 13 Strikes). He topped out at 97.4 mph on the night,” Guardians Prospective shared on X.
Cleveland #Guardians RHP Triston McKenzie struckout the side in a scoreless 7th inning of work tonight for Columbus vs Omaha.
Line – 1.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 3SO
(19 Pitches 13 Strikes)
He topped out at 97.4 mph on the night.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/IqZrIwfxQQ
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 19, 2025
The right-hander has been working to regain form after a difficult start to the season that saw him record an 11.12 ERA across just four major league appearances.
The velocity reading represents significant progress for McKenzie, whose fastball has approached career norms during his minor league stint.
Cleveland designated him for assignment in April before sending him outright to Columbus, where he has focused on regaining control and effectiveness.
McKenzie’s career trajectory shifted after injuries and mechanical issues emerged in 2023.
The 28-year-old showed promise following his 2020 MLB debut, recording high strikeout totals and delivering dominant stretches that suggested ace potential.
The past two seasons have been difficult for McKenzie, prompting Cleveland to acquire veteran arms for rotation stability.
His development remains a key storyline as the Guardians compete in the American League Central and pursue a playoff berth.
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