Guardians notes: Pitching coach Carl Willis encouraged by Gavin Williams' progress

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Cleveland coaching staff is encouraged by what they have seen from right-handed starter Gavin Williams since he came off the injured list to make his season debut June 30. Williams gave up one earned run on three hits through five innings during the Guardians' 4-2 win Saturday over the Tampa Bay Rays. He did not register a decision. "I really felt like in Detroit we'd never seen him hold his stuff that long into a game," Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis said before Sunday's series finale. "While he didn't go as deep into the game (Saturday) as he would have liked or we would have liked, he did hold his stuff through the number of pitches he threw and through the fifth inning. "It's still a work in progress, getting him back into the competitive intensity and being able to repeat his good delivery." Williams began the season on the 15-day injured list after experiencing right elbow discomfort and was transferred to the 60-day IL when Cleveland acquired Darren McCaughan from Miami on May 9. He made six starts during a month-long rehab assignment before joining the big league club. "So his stuff is really good and we're still working on a slider," Willis said. "He's always shown the ability we saw (Saturday). We saw it numerous times last year. Sometimes the team can put his back against the wall and he gets out of it with minimal damage, and that's the sign of a really good pitcher." SANDMAN Right-handed reliever Nick Sandlin also recently returned after spending 15 days on the IL due to lower back inflammation. He returned to the bullpen July 4 and has pitched in six games, including a scoreless inning Saturday night. While the back is feeling better, Sandlin has had a new physical issue recently form. "He's got a little bit of a nick on his thumb and it's been kind of lingering the last week or so," Willis said. "It's affected the slider a little bit, but the cut has closed up and has gotten more manageable. His splits have been somewhat devastating to both righties and lefties and (Saturday,) I felt like he was able to pitch with his complete arsenal." MORE UPDATES Willis provided insight on former Guardians starters Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen, who were both optioned to Triple-A Columbus and have made recent starts for the minor league club. "With Triston, we've seen the strike percentage go up," Willis said. "We were all very comfortable with his stuff but it was just the strikes and controlling the counts … that was not where it needed to be. He's had three walks over the course of 11 innings (in two minor league starts) so that strike percentage is improving." Allen pitched Saturday for the Clippers, giving up four hits, two walks and striking out seven over five innings of a 4-3 win. "Looking at the line and the data, 85 pitches through five innings and a lot of swings and misses last night," Willis said. "I think he threw about 35 percent fastballs but the slider and cutter played very well. Controlling the counts and using both sides of the plate are going to bode very well for him." l Left-hander Matt Boyd was eligible to return from the 15-day IL on Sunday after undergoing surgery on his left elbow. Willis said the plan is to immediately begin rehab. "He threw out of the bullpen in Arizona (on Saturday) and the next step is likely to be an Arizona league game Tuesday," Willis said. "He's likely to be in Cleveland during the optimal workout Thursday evening but that's not set in stone. But everything is going really well as of this point." l Willis also discussed the prospect of top prospect Joey Cantillo, a left-handed starter with Columbus who is working his way back into top form after suffering a left hamstring injury during spring training. "We see major league stuff (out of him), it's just still learning how to navigate a lineup and being a little more efficient," Willis said. "You get two quick outs, let's bear down and get that third one and move on, keep that pitch count down … we don't need to strike everybody out. But he's learning and he's competing very, very well." ROUNDIN' THIRD Emmanuel Clase recorded his 139th career save in Saturday's win against the Rays, tying Bob Wickman for the second-most in franchise history. Clase has converted 16 straight save opportunities, the second longest streak of his career (25 straight in 2022). The Guardians' career saves leader is Cody Allen with 149 between 2012-18. Cleveland's No. 3 prospect, outfielder Jaison Chourio, went 1-for-2 with an RBI single in Saturday's All-Star Futures Game, while No. 4 prospect, first baseman Ralphy Velazquez, drew a walk during the American League's 6-1 loss. Contact Shaun Bennett at (440) 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @ShaunBennettct on X.