Guardians DFA Triston McKenzie Amid Ongoing Struggles \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Cleveland Guardians designated right-hander Triston McKenzie for assignment after continued struggles following his 2022 breakout season. McKenzie, who’s battled injuries and poor form, posted an 11.12 ERA in four appearances this year. Despite bullpen issues, manager Stephen Vogt reaffirmed support for closer Emmanuel Clase, who’s also had a rocky start to 2025.
The Cleveland Guardians’ decision to designate Three McKenzie for assignment on Monday sent shockwaves through the baseball world and underscored the volatility and unforgiving nature of pitching at the Major League level. Once considered a cornerstone of the team’s future rotation, McKenzie’s rapid fall from rising ace to expendable arm is a sobering narrative in the evolution of player development, health management, and roster economics.
McKenzie’s baseball journey, particularly with the Guardians, has been one of extremes. Drafted in the first round in 2015, he was heralded early on for his lanky build, smooth mechanics, and electric stuff. Standing 6-foot-5 with a whiplike delivery, McKenzie climbed through the minor leagues with a reputation for high strikeout potential and elite command.
His long-anticipated breakout came in 2022when he made 30 startslogged 190 strikeoutsand posted a 2.96 ERAearning him a reputation as one of the best young starters in the American League. His poise under pressure extended into the postseason, where he made two playoff starts and emerged as a fan favorite for his emotion and energy.
But the sharp ascent was quickly followed by an even steeper fall.
In 2023McKenzie was limited to just a few appearances after battling a right shoulder strainfollowed by a right elbow sprain that sidelined him for months. Despite hopes of a return to form in 2024, his stuff never fully bounced back. His velocity dipped, command faltered, and he was no longer the same pitcher who once dominated lineups.
Heading into 2025, the Guardians moved McKenzie to the bullpen to preserve his arm and potentially rebuild his confidence. But over his first four relief outings, he struggled mightily — allowing 11 runs in just 9 inningsgood for an 11.12 ERA. His final appearance came on April 16when he surrendered four runs in a single inning to the Orioles.
Manager Stephen Vogt cited not just McKenzie’s performance, but a broader roster puzzle. “It was really difficult to find innings for Triston, and that’s what led to the decision,” he said. “It was tough because of his history here.”
With the Guardians’ pitching depth already being tested early in the season, Vogt and the front office made the difficult decision to designate McKenzie for assignment, giving the club seven days to trade, release, or place him on waivers.
The team recalled Pocket from Triple-A Columbus to fill the bullpen vacancy, signaling a fresh direction for a club caught between a rebuild and a playoff push.
The DFA process may not be the end of the road for McKenzie, but it’s a clear crossroad.
There is likely interest across the league from teams who still see the raw tools that once made him a top prospect. His frame, age (27), and prior success make him an intriguing reclamation project for clubs with the resources and patience to rebuild a pitcher. But for McKenzie, the path back will require health, adjustments, and resilience.
He may need to spend time in the minors, revamping his delivery or pitch mix, especially if his velocity remains diminished. More importantly, he’ll need to regain confidence in his body — and in his game.
For Cleveland, this move is as much about turning the page as it is about restructuring the bullpen for long-term stability.
While McKenzie exits the roster spotlight, Closer Emmanuel Class continues to command attention — but not for the right reasons.
Clase, a two-time Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year and one of the most dominant closers in the game, has looked unusually hittable in 2025. He’s posted a 7.84 ERA in 10 1/3 inningsallowing 20 hits and 9 earned runsincluding a three-run implosion in Pittsburgh that cost the Guardians a game on Sunday.
Still, Vogt doubled down on his faith in the 27-year-old right-hander. “Emmanuel Clase is going to get the ball in the ninth inning when he’s available,” Vogt stated, emphasizing that despite recent struggles, Clase’s track record warrants trust.
Clase’s cutter — usually clocked around 100 mph with lethal late movement — has been flat and poorly locatedleading to hard contact. Scouts have also noted that his arm slot appears slightly altered from previous seasons, possibly affecting his ability to control movement and deception.
Vogt’s vote of confidence in Clase stands in stark contrast to McKenzie’s DFA, highlighting a fundamental reality in MLB: past performance buys patiencebut only to a point. In McKenzie’s case, injuries and a lack of current form left little margin for error. For Clase, his accolades and 47-save season in 2024 are earning him an extended leash — for now.
But bullpen volatility is a notorious wildcard in baseball. With Cleveland currently sitting in the middle of the AL Central and in need of consistency, both the loss of a potential starter and a struggling closer could have ripple effects throughout the pitching staff.
The Guardians are at a crossroads — a team not in full rebuild but also not yet among the true contenders. Moves like DFAing McKenzie send a clear message: performance, not potential, drives decisions now.
At the same time, the team must also determine whether Clase’s early struggles are a blip or the beginning of a deeper decline. How Vogt and the Guardians’ front office navigate these pitching dilemmas will define whether Cleveland can remain competitive this season or be forced to reconsider its trajectory.
For McKenzie, the next week could shape the rest of his career. For Clase, every outing will be watched closely. For the Guardians, the search for bullpen reliability just got even more urgent.
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