Guardians place Triston McKenzie on IL with elbow sprain that may require surgery
McKenzie has only made two starts this season
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cleveland Guardians starter Triston McKenzie will be shut down for up to six weeks — and possibly longer — with an elbow sprain that may yet require surgery.
McKenzie was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend with a strained ulnar collateral ligament. Guardians team physician Dr. Mark Schickendantz evaluated McKenzie at the Cleveland Clinic and advised he not throw for an extended period.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pitching coach Carl Willis #51 of the Cleveland Guardians talks with Triston McKenzie #24 and Mike Zunino #10 during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field on June 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
McKenzie, who missed the season's first two months with a shoulder strain, will seek a second opinion with the team's blessing.
"There may be a slightly different opinion than we have, we’ll see," manager Terry Francona said Tuesday before the Guardians opened a three-game series against Oakland. "But that’s kind of where we are now. And when we have more information we will certainly share it."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Triston McKenzie #24 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field on June 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
McKenzie's injury is the latest for the defending AL Central champions, who are also without starter Cal Quantrill because of a shoulder strain.
Francona has been forced to use rookies Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen most of the season and hard-throwing right-hander Gavin Williams will make his major league debut on Wednesday with a start against the A's.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Triston McKenzie #24 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field on June 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
McKenzie made two starts before experiencing soreness in his elbow. The 25-year-old went 11-11 with a 2.96 ERA in 30 starts last season. While he's long been viewed as a potential ace for Cleveland, McKenzie has also been slowed by injuries throughout his career.