Triston McKenzie #24 of the Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians had high expectations for Triston McKenzie during the previous season. However, his performance was hindered by frequent injuries, limiting him to just four starts amidst prolonged stints on the injured list. With a record of 0-3 and a 5.06 ERA in 2023, McKenzie is poised to make his 2024 debut on Monday night as the Guardians commence a three-game series against Seattle.
McKenzie, who boasted an impressive 11-11 record with a 2.96 ERA in 2022, faced setbacks due to an ulnar collateral ligament sprain and a teres major muscle strain last season. Reflecting on his challenges, McKenzie, now 26 years old, acknowledged the difficulty of dealing with injuries after reaching a pinnacle in his career but expressed optimism about the learning experience.
Newly appointed Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, previously a bullpen coach for the Mariners, commended McKenzie’s infectious personality and competitive spirit observed during spring training.
McKenzie, with a career record of 0-2 and a 7.36 ERA against Seattle, is slated to pitch against Emerson Hancock, who himself encountered injury setbacks after making his major league debut last season.
Hancock, determined to be in optimal health for the upcoming season, expressed relief at his physical condition and readiness to perform at his best.
Despite a challenging start to the season, both teams are focused on improvement. The Guardians, who won three of four games against Oakland, showcased resilience in their series despite falling short in the final game. Meanwhile, the Mariners, after splitting a four-game series with Boston, are aiming for offensive consistency following a slow start at the plate.
Both managers emphasized the importance of consistency and improvement moving forward, acknowledging that it’s early in the season and expressing confidence in their teams’ abilities to perform better.
