Guardians option McKenzie, reinstate Williams from IL
The Cleveland Guardians optioned struggling right-hander Triston McKenzie to Triple-A, the club announced Sunday.
The Guardians also reinstated right-hander Gavin Williams from the injured list and designated right-hander Darren McCaughan for assignment.
McKenzie has struggled in 16 starts this season, posting a 3-5 record with a 5.11 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP, 74 strikeouts, and 49 walks across 75 2/3 innings.
The 26-year-old put together a breakout campaign in 2022, registering a 2.96 ERA with 190 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings. McKenzie has struggled to build off that season, posting a 5.11 ERA since the beginning of 2023. He made just four starts last campaign due to multiple injuries.
Williams has missed the entire 2024 season so far with an elbow issue he sustained during a weighted-ball workout in spring training. The 24-year-old went 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA and 24 strikeouts in six rehab starts. Williams, the Guardians' first-round pick in 2021, authored an impressive rookie campaign last year, going 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts.
McCaughan, 28, posted an 11.81 ERA and 2.53 WHIP across three appearances for the Guardians this season.