Guardians make 'difficult decision' to DFA McKenzie

CLEVELAND -- The Guardians designated Triston McKenzie for assignment on Monday, a move that potentially spells the end of the right-hander’s time with the organization.

Cleveland will now have seven days to either trade McKenzie or place him on outright or unconditional release waivers. The Guardians selected right-handed reliever Zak Kent from Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move prior to Monday’s series opener against the Yankees.

“It was a difficult decision. It wasn't easy,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “Obviously, with Triston, we wish him well. Whether he gets claimed or goes elsewhere or he stays with us, we're going to continue to support him and root for him along the way.

“One of the best people I've gotten to know in this game is Triston, and [I] wish him well if he indeed does end up somewhere else.”

McKenzie was the second-most tenured player in the Guardians organization. Cleveland selected him in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. Only José Ramírez (who signed with Cleveland on June 19, 2011) has been around longer.

After falling short in the Guardians’ fifth starter competition this spring, McKenzie made the Opening Day roster this season as a long reliever. He made just four appearances and recorded an 11.12 ERA with seven walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Cleveland knew in recent days it would need to make a move to add bullpen reinforcements. The club is in a stretch of nine games in nine days. McKenzie was out of Minor League options, and each of his outings came in mop-up duty with at least five days between them.

It presented a challenging situation as he worked through his early struggles while transitioning to a new role.

“As you saw, it was really difficult to find innings for Triston,” Vogt said. “And that’s really what led to the decision. With the way our bullpen’s throwing the ball, it was tough. When someone's out of options, it isn't easy. It's not perfect, but this is why sometimes you have to make these really difficult decisions.”

It wasn’t long ago that McKenzie appeared set to anchor the Guardians’ starting rotation for years to come. He made 80 starts for Cleveland, including his Aug. 22, 2020, MLB debut, and was the No. 2 starter in the Guardians’ rotation as recently as 2022.

McKenzie recorded a 2.96 ERA in 191 1/3 innings over 31 games (30 starts) that season. He memorably struck out eight in six scoreless innings in Game 2 of the 2022 AL Wild Card Series to help the Guardians advance to the ALDS.

McKenzie made just four starts in 2023 after missing significant time due to a right elbow sprain. He returned to Cleveland’s rotation last season and posted a 5.11 ERA over 16 starts and, after those early struggles, was optioned to Columbus on June 30. He spent the rest of the season with the Clippers.

In his tough start to the season, McKenzie leaned heavily on his four-seam fastball. He threw it 99 times, compared to just 16 curveballs and eight sliders.

“I know his history here goes well beyond my time here,” Vogt said. “In my time with Triston, we saw glimpses of it. Last year in the rotation, when he was back, he was pitching well, he was healthy. Then we saw at the beginning of Spring Training [this year], he was healthy, looking really good.

“And then towards the end of Spring Training and the early parts of the year, just unable to land spin in-zone.”

Kent has allowed two runs on three hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings over five appearances with Columbus this season. He was a non-roster invitee for the Guardians this spring, and Cleveland initially acquired him from Texas for cash on March 28, 2024.

The Guardians DFA’d him on June 29 last year, released him on July 5 and then re-signed him to a Minor League deal on July 16.

“We saw a really good version of Zak during Spring Training,” Vogt said. “He could spin the ball, really good stuff and just a really good demeanor about him. I'm really excited. We needed some length. We needed somebody that can go multiple innings, and Zak can do that for us.”