Triston McKenzie has passed through waivers unclaimed. He has accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus. Tim Stebbins of MLB.com was among those to pass along the news.
Cleveland designated McKenzie for assignment last week. That the right-hander cleared waivers points to how far his stock has fallen as he’s battled injuries over the past couple seasons. McKenzie is a former top prospect who seemed to break out as a high-end starter in 2022. He posted a 2.96 ERA with nearly a strikeout per inning over 31 appearances three years ago. He seemed to be a mid-rotation arm at the very least with a chance to develop into a #1 or #2 starter.
Clearly, that’s not how things have played out. McKenzie barely pitched in 2023. A teres major strain in his shoulder shelved him for a couple months to begin the season. He returned in June but quickly suffered a UCL sprain in his throwing elbow. McKenzie avoided surgery but did not return until the final week of the season.
Hopes for a rebound last year did not materialize. McKenzie’s fastball velocity dropped to a career-low 91.1 MPH. Opponents blitzed him for a 5.11 ERA across 16 starts, and he spent the second half of the season on optional assignment to Columbus. The results weren’t any better in the minors, as he allowed 5.23 earned runs per nine while walking almost 14% of his opponents. That was his final minor league option season.
Cleveland signed him to a $1.95MM arbitration contract in November. That indicated they had some hope that he could turn things around, as his out-of-options status meant he’d need to stick on the active roster or be exposed to waivers. He worked out of the bullpen through the season’s first few weeks. McKenzie’s average fastball speed has jumped closer to 94 MPH in short stints, but neither the command nor the results were there. He allowed seven runs on as many hits through 5 1/3 innings. He walked seven batters and threw three wild pitches while recording just four strikeouts.
McKenzie has between three and five years of major league service time. That means he could decline an outright assignment but would have needed to forfeit the approximate $1.6MM remaining on his salary to test free agency. The 29 other teams all passed on a chance to add him to their big league roster, suggesting he probably would’ve been limited to minor league offers if he hit the market. That made accepting the assignment to Columbus an obvious call. He’ll try to work his way back onto Stephen Vogt’s staff and would become a minor league free agent at the end of the season if the Guards don’t call him up before then.
Mike Elias, wake up
I knew no one would claim him. He’s just straight up terrible. Funny the little kids on here were acting like teams would be lining up for his services. Hehe
I hope you posted your big prediction before this happened.
Me too, but I wasn’t gonna be shocked if someone took a chance on him. He’s been bad for too long and has no options so you have to hope he figures it out quick and he’s not super cheap.
You act like it’s asinine for people to expect teams to want him. When we just saw the brewers give up a significant overpay for Quinn Priester not to long ago. It’s obvious McKenzie is not the same pitcher but I thought at least the White Sox would take a flier
cr4: He’s EXACTLY the type of player the Sox sign: Cheap and useless.
If he accepts the reality that he will not be a starter any time soon and focuses on being a two pitch relief arm, maybe.
How do you know he’s ever been offered that chance? Maybe the team only sees him as a starter. Remember that he is an employee of the Indians. Not sure he actually has the chance to choose his role. Plus, a lot of guys probably fear doing that because it may lessen their value.
Um, because he’s been in the bullpen all season.
The team is called the Guardians numbskull.
I haven’t seen him for a while. Did he ever eat a sandwich?
I’m guessing you need to eat quite a few, fewer sandwiches.
Boy that’s really funny. You should write for Jimmy Fallon. Well actually with the poor joke, maybe you already do.
I wonder if he would consider getting TJS now? Or if it’s even an option at this point?
I wonder if it’s the shoulder that’s impacting his preformence than the elbow. Either way should have definitely got the surgery in hindsight
The Guards were lucky he didn’t accept when they offered him an extension in 2022.
It was 2023 spring training it was 5 minutes from signing extension. He got hurt and extension was pulled off table by the front office. Thanks for playing !