CLEVELAND — Could this be the end for one of Cleveland's longest-tenured starting pitchers?
The Guardians on Thursday optioned the struggling Zach Plesac to Triple-A Columbus, a stunning fall for one of the club's main arms over the past five years. Rookie Peyton Battenfield, who has made three starts this season, will take Plesac's rotation spot for the time being.
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Plesac has consistently been Cleveland No. 3 or 4 starter since first being called up in 2019, but his ERA has ballooned to 7.59 in 2023. In his most recent start back on April 29, the 28-year-old allowed five runs over just 3 1/3 innings in an 8-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
Plesac has also been the subject of several controversies over the past few seasons, beginning in 2020 when he and fellow starter Mike Clevinger were caught breaking COVID-19 protocols during a road trip in Chicago. Plesac was also sharply criticized for later trying to justify their actions in a social media video, although he was eventually allowed to return to the team while Clevinger was traded.
Still, the troubles continued in 2021, when Plesac wound up on the injured list after fracturing his thumb while ripping off his shirt. Then last year, in the midst of a dismal 3-12 campaign, he again went to the IL in September after punching the ground in frustration and breaking his hand.
Plesac and others like Konnor Pilkington (recently dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks) became expendable with the emergence of younger starters like Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee. Plesac has been the subject of trade rumors in the past, but thus far the Guardians have elected to keep him around, and he also had two minor league options remaining before today.
Battenfield is currently 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA, and will take the mound Friday night in the opener of a three-game home series against the Minnesota Twins. Cleveland is hoping to turn things around after losing 11 of their last 16 games.