© Aaron Josefczyk-USA TODAY Sports
Triston McKenzie Offers Positive Outlook Following First Start Back From IL
Triston McKenzie has missed the majority of the Cleveland Guardians' 2023 season due to various different injuries.
It all started in Spring Training with a right teres major strain in his shoulder. He was able to return from this a few months into the season but quickly went back on the injured list with a right elbow strain.
Sticks made his first start since June 10 on Sunday afternoon which was just his third start of the season and it didn't quite go the way he may have hoped. The outing only lasted 1.2 innings as McKenzie gave up three runs and walked six batters while struggling to find the zone. He threw a total of 52 pitches and only 19 of them were for strikes.
McKenzie did his best to analyze what went wrong saying:
"I think a lot of it was just delivery-based. It was just me not getting to my spots consistently. I think I was in the zone occasionally but I just feel like I never got into a rhythm."
The positive twist on this is that he also mentioned that he "still felt good from a health standpoint" after the start, was just disappointed with how he executed. Knowing McKenzie is healthy is certainly good news considering there was a time two and half months ago when surgery was very much a possibility for the 26-year-old.
Sep 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (11) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Josefczyk-USA TODAY Sports
© Aaron Josefczyk-USA TODAY Sports
McKenzie could get one more start before the season comes to an end and that will all be about progress. Throwing strikes will be his top priority in that final outing and then carry that into the offseason with him.
It's a shame that McKenzie missed so much of this season after such a promising 2022. The Guardians are going to need a healthy Triston McKenzie in 2023 if they hope to make it back to the playoffs.
