The Guardians have announced the reinstatement of Gavin Williams from the 60-day injured list, marking his return after being sidelined for the entire season due to elbow discomfort.
Williams, a right-handed pitcher, will assume the rotation spot previously held by fellow righty Triston McKenzie, who has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus. To accommodate Williams on the 40-man roster, Cleveland has designated right-hander Darren McCaughan for assignment.
While Cleveland has a storied history of strong starting pitching, the rotation has struggled this season, with McKenzie’s 5.11 ERA in 75 2/3 innings highlighting their challenges. McKenzie leads the majors in both home runs (19) and walks (49), contributing to his -1.0 fWAR, the lowest among pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched. Logan Allen ranks second with -0.5 fWAR, underscoring ongoing issues for the Guardians’ rotation.
McKenzie’s recent struggles follow a recovery period from a right teres major strain and a right UCL sprain, which limited his play in 2023. A stint in Triple-A offers McKenzie an opportunity to regain form and address control issues that have surfaced this season, contrasting with his earlier promising years from 2020 to 2022.
In contrast, Williams’ return provides a timely solution for the Guardians, given his readiness following a rehab assignment that began on May 29. Drafted 23rd overall in 2021, Williams made a strong debut in 2023 with a 3.29 ERA over 82 innings, showcasing potential despite mixed secondary metrics.
The Guardians anticipate Williams’ return will bolster their rotation, aiming for consistent performances as they navigate a competitive season. McCaughan’s struggles in limited MLB appearances this year and challenging Triple-A stats have prompted his designation, potentially leading to further moves as the team refines its roster ahead of the trade deadline.
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