GOODYEAR, Ariz. — This was not the news the Guardians needed three days before the start of the regular season.
The club announced starting pitcher Triston McKenzie will be shut down for at least the next two weeks after straining his teres major muscle in his right shoulder. The 25-year-old underwent an MRI after leaving Sunday's Cactus League matchup in Goodyear, Arizona, and officials say it could be as long as eight weeks before he returns to game action.
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The loss of McKenzie represents a tremendous early blow to the Guards, who are looking to repeat as American League Central Division champions. The right-hander emerged last year as a cornerstone in one of baseball's best rotations, going 11-11 with a 2.96 ERA over 30 starts while also tossing six shutout innings in Cleveland's decisive victory in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.
McKenzie's injury leaves the Guardians with just four healthy starters ahead of Opening Day, with the team needing to promote a fifth before the April 3 game against the Oakland Athletics. Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber leads the current group, along with Cal Quantrill, Zach Plesac, and Aaron Civale.
The organization's depth chart currently lists rookie Cody Morris as the sixth option, but while he went 1-2 with a 2.28 ERA in 23 2/3 big-league innings (five starts) in 2022, he is currently dealing with the same ailment as McKenzie and hasn't pitched all spring. Others with starting experience currently on the active roster include Eli Morgan and Hunter Gaddis, with Jason Bilous, Joey Cantillo, Xzavion Curry, and Konnor Pilkington among the possible options in the minors. Pilkington made 11 starts for Cleveland last season, going 1-2 with a 4.41 ERA in those games.
The Guards' 2023 campaign begins Thursday night at 10:10 p.m. with a road tilt against the Seattle Mariners.