Cleveland Guardians Opening Day Pitching Rotation with Triston McKenzie Out

The Cleveland Guardians will be without starting pitcher Triston McKenzie for at least two weeks, as McKenzie will be sidelined by a shoulder strain. Here's a look at the Guardians' pitching rotation to open the 2023 season.

The Cleveland Guardians shared some unfortunate news Monday, as starting pitcher Triston McKenzie will be shut down from throwing for at least the next two weeks, and could miss up to eight weeks due to a shoulder strain.

Hunter Gaddis will start in place of McKenzie in the Guardians' second game of the season on Friday, and he is expected to assume McKenzie's role for the time being. Gaddis made two appearances in his debut season last year, allowing 15 runs over 7.1 innings pitched. Gaddis is the no. 28 prospect in the Guardians' system, according to MLB Pipeline's prospect rankings.

Xzavion Curry is expected to take Gaddis' spot in the Guardians' bullpen, per The Athletic's Zack Meisel.

Hunter Gaddis will slide into Triston McKenzie's spot in Cleveland's rotation. Xzavion Curry is expected to take Gaddis' spot in the bullpen.

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) March 28, 2023

McKenzie exited Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds after throwing just one inning.

Manager Terry Francona has scheduled Shane Bieber to be the club's Opening Day starting pitcher. Gaddis will pitch Friday, with Aaron Civale pitching Saturday and Cal Quantrill throwing Sunday. That is how the Guardians will open the season for their four-game road trip to Seattle, taking on the Mariners.

Zach Plesac will round out the rotation in the no. 5 spot.

Here's a look at the Guardians' pitching rotation for Opening Day:

1) Shane Bieber: 13-8, 2.88 ERA, 31 starts, 200 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 5.50 SO/W, 132 ERA+

2) Hunter Gaddis: 0-2, 18.41 ERA, 2 starts, 7.1 IP, 2.45 WHIP, 1.67 SO/W, 22 ERA+

3) Aaron Civale: 5-6, 4.92 ERA, 20 starts, 97 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.45 SO/W, 78 ERA+

4) Cal Quantrill: 15-5, 3.38 ERA, 32 starts, 186.1 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 2.72 SO/W, 113 ERA+

5) Zach Plesac: 3-12, 4.31 ERA, 24 starts, 131.2 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 2.63 SO/W, 89 ERA+

Injured:

Triston McKenzie: 11-11, 2.96 ERA, 30 starts, 191.1 IP, 0.95 WHIP, 4.32 SO/W, 129 ERA+

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