McKenzie allowed three runs on three hits and three walks over 1.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game versus the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.
"He had trouble leveraging his fastball down," manager Terry Francona said after the game. McKenzie's control issues can likely be attributed to just an off game -- he posted an excellent 2.1 BB/9 and 0.95 WHIP while adding 190 strikeouts in 191.1 innings a year ago. The Guardians are expected to have Shane Bieber start Opening Day, but McKenzie shouldn't be too far behind him in the rotation.
Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Set to start Saturday
Rotowire
McKenzie is scheduled to start Game 3 of the Guardians' ALDS matchup with the Yankees on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
McKenzie was on track to take the ball Friday, but Game 2 of the series was delayed a day by rain, and Cleveland will simply push both Shane Bieber and McKenzie back a day.
McKenzie allowed one run on four hits over five frames against the Royals on Monday. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.
McKenzie gave up a run in the third inning but otherwise worked a pretty clean outing. The 25-year-old righty ended his regular season by allowing three or fewer runs in his final 11 starts, posting a 2.27 ERA through 71.1 innings during that stretch. On the year, McKenzie registered an impressive 2.96 ERA with a 190:44 K:BB across 31 appearances (30 starts).
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Six strong innings
Rotowire
McKenzie allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out six across six innings Wednesday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
McKenzie allowed his lone run of the night in the second inning but surrendered only a bunt single across his final four frames. He has now turned in four consecutive quality starts, allowing only six earned runs across 28 innings while posting a 32:3 K:BB in that span. For the season, McKenzie owns a 2.99 ERA with 186 strikeouts across 186.1 frames.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Posts 13 strikeouts in win
Rotowire
McKenzie (11-11) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits over eight innings in an 8-2 victory over the White Sox. He struck out 13.
McKenzie allowed his runs in the form of a fourth-inning home run off the bat of third baseman Yoan Moncada and a seventh-inning RBI single from Gavin Sheets. The righty has thrown seven innings or more eight times in his last 15 starts. In addition, the 25-year-old has generated a lot of swings-and-misses during his last seven outings, recording 56 strikeouts over 45.2 innings.
