Guardians notes: Joey Cantillo sent down; Tim Herrin promoted

CLEVELAND — After a subpar outing Friday, Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo was sent to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. In a corresponding move, left-hander Tim Herrin was promoted to Cleveland's bullpen. The Guardians want Cantillo (3-3, 3.93) to attack the strike zone with more consistency. "We've asked a lot of Joey this year," Cleveland's executive vice president and assistant general manager Matt Forman said. "We think there's more in there. He's got swing-and-miss caliber stuff." Cantillo's wildness caught up to him. His 22 walks in his last eight starts since July 3 were tied for the most in the majors with Texas' Jack Leiter. "A decision like this is tough," Forman said. "We're balancing winning with development." Forman said left-hander John Means is not an option to start on Wednesday. Means is scheduled for a second rehab start in the minors, likely at Single-A Lake County. Herrin is 4-2 with a 4.06 ERA in 39 games with the Guardians this season. Coaches asked him to be more aggressive in the strike zone at Triple-A, and Forman said he's done that. "I'm excited for him to be back," Forman said. "He can be a valuable member of the bullpen." Injury updates Guardians vice president of player development Stephen Osterer gave updates on several players Sunday. l Second baseman Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, has been elevated to Triple-A Columbus after an oblique injury. "Travis has been really good since coming back from injury and even before that," Osterer said. "There was a lot of excitement around the bat when he came back and what he was doing offensively, and then the defense has been a real trend up and arrow up this year, as well." Osterer said fans are flocking to Bazzana and the Guardians have had to heighten security around him. l Second baseman Juan Brito is currently six weeks post-injury following a left hamstring avulsion. He continues to progress well and is meeting appropriate strength, range of motion, running, fielding and hitting milestones. The expected timeframe for return to play on this type of injury is 8-12 weeks. l Right-handed pitcher Khal Stephen, acquired from Toronto for Shane Bieber, is progressing well following the diagnosis of right-shoulder impingement. He threw his first live BP on Friday and will throw a two-inning live BP in the upcoming week. He will continue to progress in his game activity from there. l Outfielder Chase Delauter, one of the top prospects in the system, is currently three weeks post-operative following surgery on the hamate bone in his right hand, performed by Dr. Thomas Graham. He is responding well to his rehab program and has resumed baseball activity. The typical return to play is normally 45-60 days. Osterer said Delauter is likely done for the season. l Right-handed pitcher Triston McKenzie has been at the Arizona complex. "It's been a long road for Triston," Osterer said. "He came in with a great attitude in Arizona and just wanted to work." McKenzie, who was designated for assignment and later resigned by the Guardians, is working out of the bullpen. l Outfielder Will Brennan is currently nine weeks post left elbow ulnar collateral ligament repair performed by Dr. Keith Meister. He is rehabbing at the player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., and is progressing on schedule. Brennan is currently on track to begin his throwing progression at three months post-operative and hitting progression at four months post-operative. l Left-handed pitcher Sam Hentges is 11 months post-operative following a left shoulder anterior capsule repair performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. He is currently progressing through his return to throwing progression at the Arizona complex. Hentges is expected to begin a mound progression in the next two-to-four weeks. l Right-handed starter Ben Lively is currently 10 weeks post-operative following a right ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction and flexor tendon repair, performed with Dr. Keith Meister. He is progressing well and continues his lower body, forearm and shoulder strengthening without issue. He is currently completing his rehab progression at the Arizona Academy and is on track to begin throwing at six months post-operative. Lively's time to return to play is 12-16 months. l Pitcher Andrew Walters is currently nine weeks post-operative following a right shoulder latissimus dorsi tendon repair performed by Dr. Anthony Romeo. He is responding well to the initial phase of his rehab and is progressing on schedule. He is expected to return to throwing progression at five months post-operative. l Pitcher Daniel Espino is 17 months post operative following a revision right shoulder anterior capsule repair performed by ElAttrache. Following a de-load period from throwing, Espino has resumed mound activity and is throwing bullpens at the player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com.