Guardians' Rookie Sensation Gavin Williams Leaves Start Against Twins Prematurely

Gavin Williams pitches just one inning before leaving in the Cleveland Guardians-Minnesota Twins game.

The last thing the Cleveland Guardians need at this point of the season is to be down yet another starting pitcher. But that's the reality they may be looking at after Gavin Williams left his start against the Minnesota Twins after just 1.0 inning of work.

Williams took the mound at the top of the first inning to open up the game. He struggled to throw strikes as he issued a rare four-pitch walk to lead-off hitter Edouard Julien.

Gavin Williams leaves the game after going down on this play after just one inning. pic.twitter.com/nbdr6LyheI

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) August 30, 2023

Gavin was able to get out of the inning without giving up a run but made a pitch in which his left leg awkwardly planted on the ground. He threw a total of 30 pitches and just 15 of them were strikes. Williams' velocity did remain strong with his fastball topping out at 97.2 mph. 

Hunter Gaddis, who was called up from Triple-A on Tuesday, relieved Williams in the top of the second inning.

Williams has been phenomenal in his rookie season with the Guardians. He came into Tuesday night's start with a 3.52 ERA and 68 strikeouts against some of baseball's toughest lineups.

Cleveland currently has Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, and Cal Qauntrill still on the injured list so losing another starting pitcher would be more than costly. 

The team revealed that Williams officially left the game with "knee soreness."

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Photo Credit © Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports