Guardians Designate Triston McKenzie for Assignment, Recall Zak Kent
The Guardians designated Triston McKenzie for assignment Monday afternoon, what lead to this decision?
On Monday afternoon, the Cleveland Guardians made the tough decision to designate former first-round pick Triston McKenzie for assignment.
Following a grueling seven-game road trip, the club needed a fresh arm in the bullpen for the upcoming homestand — and McKenzie, who was out of minor league options, was the odd man out.
McKenzie’s journey with the Guardians has been filled with promise, setbacks, and now, uncertainty. Drafted in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft, he quickly rose through the minors as a top prospect and was once considered one of the most exciting arms in the organization.
He made his MLB debut in 2020 in dominant fashion, striking out Miguel Cabrera for his first career punchout and showcasing the elite upside Cleveland had hoped for. Just two years later, in 2022, McKenzie looked like the future ace of the rotation — logging 191 1/3 innings, striking out 190, and walking only 44. He finished the year with an impressive 0.951 WHIP and a 2.96 ERA across 30 starts.
But the momentum didn’t last. In 2023, McKenzie was limited to just four starts due to a lingering elbow injury. Unlike teammate Shane Bieber, who eventually opted for Tommy John surgery, McKenzie chose a rehab route.
He returned to the mound in 2024 but never looked quite the same. His fastball velocity dipped, and he struggled to command his signature curveball and slider, leading to a 5.06 ERA over 16 starts before being optioned to Triple-A Columbus in late July.
McKenzie entered 2025 spring training in a tight battle with Logan Allen for the final spot in the rotation. The early signs were encouraging — his fastball was back in the mid-90s, and there was hope he could rebound. But Allen ultimately won the job and has gotten off to a strong start this season, while McKenzie was moved to a long-relief role, similar to the one Pedro Avila filled last year.
Unfortunately, that transition didn’t go smoothly either. In limited innings, McKenzie posted a brutal 11.12 ERA, throwing 123 total pitches — 99 of them four-seam fastballs. While his velocity had returned, hitters were sitting dead red. His inability to land offspeed pitches in the zone made him predictable and hittable.
To fill McKenzie’s roster spot, the Guardians have called up right-hander Zak Kent, who will slot into that multi-inning bridge role in the bullpen. While Kent isn’t expected to be a long-term solution, he gives the team a fresh arm who can cover innings and help get the ball to the high-leverage relievers.
With McKenzie designated for assignment, the Guardians now have 48 hours to either trade him, release him, or see if he’s claimed off waivers. Any team that claims him must keep him on their major league roster, so there’s a chance he could pass through waivers and be outrighted back to Triple-A Columbus — which is what the Guardians are hoping for.
That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a rebuilding team take a flyer on McKenzie. At just 27 years old, he still has time to rediscover his old form, and his ceiling is too high to completely give up on.
At his best, Triston McKenzie wasn’t just a promising young pitcher — he was one of the most electric arms in the American League.
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