Guardians notes: Triston McKenzie designated for assignment

CLEVELAND — The Triston McKenzie to the bullpen experiment didn't last long. After making only four relief appearances and posting an 11.12 ERA, McKenzie was designated for assignment prior to the series opener against the Yankees on Monday. Right-hander Zak Kent, 27, was promoted from Triple-A Columbus to take McKenzie's roster spot. McKenzie, who was out of minor league options, could return to the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers. "It was really difficult to find innings for Triston, and that's really what led to the decision," manager Stephen Vogt said. "And with the way our bullpen's throwing the ball, it was tough. So 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." McKenzie has showed flashes of brilliance at times during his tenure with Cleveland, which began in 2015 when he was selected by Cleveland in the first round of the MLB Draft. He went 11-11 with a 2.96 ERA in 31 games (30 starts) in 2022, but it was downhill from there in some part due to injuries. McKenzie opted for rehab over surgery on his right elbow in 2023 before he posted a 5.11 ERA over 16 starts and was sent down the following season. "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, where he was back, he was pitching well, he was healthy and we saw at the beginning of spring training, he was healthy, looking really good. "Towards the end of spring training and just the early parts of the year, he wasn't able to land spin in the (strike) zone." Kent, a ninth-round pick of the Rangers in 2019, will be making his major league debut. He was acquired from Texas for cash prior to last season, going 2-1 with a 7.23 ERA in 14 games (three starts). Kent owns a 2.35 ERA over five appearances (7 2/3 innings) for Columbus this year. "Kid gets to make his major league debut, another guy that's battled some injuries," Vogt said. "We saw a really good version of Zak during spring training. He can spin the ball. Really good stuff and just a really good demeanor about him and I'm really excited. "We needed some length. We needed somebody that can go multiple innings and Zak can do that for us." Lane Train Center fielder Lane Thomas did not start Monday as he continues to work his way back from the right wrist contusion that sidelined him for a week. Thomas returned to the lineup for the first five games of Cleveland's road trip through Baltimore and Pittsburgh but missed the series finale Sunday against the Pirates. "With the contusion, there's going to be good days and bad days. We're just trying to be super cautious," Vogt said. "We don't want to prolong this. We don't want this to become the whole year. Obviously, Lane wants to be in there. Obviously, we want Lane to be in there every day when he's at his best. But we have to make sure that this wrist issue doesn't linger for six months." Job security Vogt was asked if struggling closer Emmanuel Clase was still his guy in the ninth inning. "One-hundred percent," he said. "I haven't even had the thought (of replacing him). Emmanuel Clase has been the best closer in this game for a number of years now. He's getting hit, he's leaving the ball over the middle more than he should, but that doesn't mean that he's not the closer he's not. "He's still the best closer on the planet. There's some things that we're going to continue to work with him on, but Emmanuel Clase is going to get the ball in the ninth when he's available." Clase, who blew his second save Sunday in a 5-4 sweep-clinching victory over the Pirates, has allowed runs in five of his 11 appearances, and hits in eight of them. Hit parade Left fielder Steven Kwan is off to another fast start, entering Monday batting .325 over his first 21 games. Last year, Kwan owned a .389 average through his first 50 games. "Steven Kwan's one of the best complete hitters in baseball," Vogt said. "There's not one pitch that you throw him that he can't do something with. Make a mistake on the inner part of the plate and he can hit you out of the yard. You can't pitch around him. He doesn't chase. He is a complete hitter and he's going good right now." Big event Vogt admitted playing the Yankees holds extra significance, especially after they eliminated the Guardians in the ALCS in five games last year. "Anytime you play the Yankees, you want to step up," Vogt said. "It's one of the historical franchises, and we all remember the last time they were here. It's going to be a really fun series, just like the one in October. There's going to be battles back and forth. It's going to be good baseball on both sides, and we got our work cut out for us. They've got their work cut out for them. It's going to be a really fun three days." Roundin' third Jose Ramirez scored a run Sunday to move past Omar Vizquel for the sixth-most runs (907) in club history. Ramirez entered Monday an extra-base hit away from passing Tris Speaker (667) for the second-most in franchise history. The Guardians welcomed back pitcher Carlos Carrasco (2009-20, '24), who is on the Yankees' roster. Carrasco was shown on the scoreboard waving to fans from New York's dugout. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on X @CAwesomeheimer.