The start of the week did not bring good news for Cleveland Guardians fans.
Unfortunately, they will be without one of their top starters for up to two months because of injury.
Triston McKenzie is likely to miss up to eight weeks after being diagnosed Monday with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder.
Damn terrible news. Big Triston McKenzie fan https://t.co/ffUTeYBf47
— Shea Neal (@KGGFSheaNeal) March 28, 2023
McKenzie graduated to ace status in 2022 with a terrific season in which he posted a 2.96 ERA, 190 strikeouts, and a 0.95 WHIP in 191.1 frames.
He overcame injury issues he had in 2021 to make 30 starts last year.
That won’t be the case in 2023.
Fans have reacted to the news on Twitter.
Obviously, they are disappointed.
Woke up & remembered Triston McKenzie is injured pic.twitter.com/sRwOe2O0IN
— turn on notis 🛎️ (@McKenzieFanAcc) March 28, 2023
Triston McKenzie might be our 8 weeks to start the season 🤦🏻♂️
— The Lurp (@LurpoPolo) March 28, 2023
Triston McKenzie maybe out two months? Not the best way to start the morning.
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) March 28, 2023
The plan is for McKenzie to stop throwing for the next two weeks before being re-evaluated.
He could be sidelined for up to two months, depending on his progress.
Shoulder injuries are obviously not what fans, managers, coaches, and the front office want to hear regarding a young pitcher, but all things considered, it could have been worse the Guardians.
The hope is that the rest can do wonders for McKenzie and he can have a relatively normal season upon returning.
After the two weeks, he will likely have to start his throwing program again to get himself ready for the rigors of an MLB season.
He forms one of the best one-two punches in baseball with Shane Bieber, so the Guardians need him to be healthy if they are reaching their organizational objectives in 2023.
Last year, they went to the playoffs with McKenzie as one of their best players.
They are very much capable of doing that again, but will likely find tough opposition in the revamped Minnesota Twins and perhaps in the Chicago White Sox, too.
NEXT: Guardians Get Bad News On Triston McKenzie
