Triston McKenzie injury could be worse than Guardians feared

Cleveland ace Triston McKenzie’s most recent injury update will have Guardians fans feeling pretty depressed.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie was diagnosed with a shoulder strain that will sideline him for up to eight weeks, throwing a wrench into the club’s Opening Day plans.

As The Athletic’s Zack Meisel reported on Monday night, McKenzie officially has a “strain of his right teres major muscle” and is expected to be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks. The length of his absence could be as many as eight weeks.

This past Sunday, McKenzie was taken out of a game in Spring Training after just one inning, complaining about “soreness and tightness” in his triceps and shoulder. After an MRI, it was confirmed that McKenzie suffered a shoulder strain, and the right-handed ace will have to work his way back up to full health this season.

Cleveland Guardians’ Triston McKenzie could be out from 2-8 weeks

This latest blow to the Guardians’ starting rotation dampens the club’s hopes of building off of last season’s AL Central-winning success. In 2022, McKenzie recorded a 2.96 ERA and 190 strikeouts with over 190 innings pitched and served as the team’s rock-solid foundation to help earn a playoff berth.

In McKenzie’s place, the Guardians have a few different directions they could pivot toward. Hunter Gaddis, who was set to assume a role in the bullpen, could move up the ranks in a fairly seamless transition since Gaddis was stretched out this spring.

Gaddis didn’t perform so well in two starts last season, but he at least looked comfortable as a starter this year and has since grown out of his minor league shoes.

Xzavion Curry and Konnor Pilkington are two other arms who could replace McKenzie and find themselves in the front of the rotation, though they arguably represent less desirable options given their lack of starting experience and poor numbers.

Cleveland can only hope McKenzie heals from his injury sooner rather than later — otherwise, the Guardians could be in for a rough pitching year indeed.