The Cleveland Guardians have been without their most reliable starters for several weeks now.
Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie have been suffering elbow ailments that have compromised their availability for what is left of 2023 and this has affected the pitching staff’s quality and depth.
Both hurlers, however, have received some good news to start the week.
“Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie could each face live hitters over at Lake County on Thursday and Friday, respectively, from Tito. Minor league rehab starts could come after that. But the Guardians are working against a tight clock and don’t want to rush things,” Ryan Lewis, a Guardians insider, tweeted.
Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie could each face live hitters over at Lake County on Thursday and Friday, respectively, from Tito.
Minor league rehab starts could come after that.
But the Guardians are working against a tight clock and don’t want to rush things.
— Ryan Lewis (@ByRyanLewis) September 4, 2023
Facing live hitters is an important step in each pitcher’s recovery.
However, it doesn’t necessarily mean a return to action is imminent.
After that, they will have to prove their health and readiness against minor league hitters in a competitive, yet low-pressure environment.
Given the nature of their injuries, they will likely need at least two minor league starts, too.
Given that the regular season will end in about a month, both hurlers are in a race against time as Lewis points out.
Having them ready, locked, and loaded will no doubt aid the Guardians’ ongoing postseason push.
They are 66-71, five games out of first place in the AL Central.
Bieber has a 3.77 ERA in 117 frames, while McKenzie has only pitched 10 innings with five earned runs allowed (4.50 ERA).
If the Guardians fall out of contention, it’s unlikely that we see both pitchers again this year.
If they stay in the race, however, they will do whatever it takes to have them ready for at least a few innings.
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