UPDATE: Triston McKenzie, once a promising starter with the Cleveland Guardians, has officially signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres and will report to spring training in February 2024. This sudden shift comes after a rocky tenure in Cleveland, where McKenzie struggled to regain his form.
The 28-year-old right-hander, who was designated for assignment earlier this season, made just four appearances for the Guardians in 2023, finishing with an alarming 11.12 ERA. After clearing waivers, he accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus, where his challenges continued, compiling a 7.17 ERA across 21 1/3 innings.
McKenzie’s departure from Cleveland is significant, as he was a highly regarded second overall pick in the 2015 draft, receiving a signing bonus of $2.3 million. His career peaked in 2022 when he achieved an 11-11 record with a stellar 2.96 ERA and a career-high 190 strikeouts. However, injuries plagued his subsequent seasons, including a strained Teres Major muscle in 2023 and a right elbow strain that limited his appearances.
In a statement, McKenzie expressed optimism about his new opportunity, stating, “I’m ready to start fresh with the Padres and work with a familiar face in Ruben Niebla.” Niebla, the Padres’ pitching coach, previously guided McKenzie during his time with the Guardians, making this transition even more promising.
The Padres are looking to bolster their pitching depth as they eye a competitive season ahead. McKenzie’s potential to reclaim his previous form could be a game-changer for the team.
As spring training approaches, all eyes will be on McKenzie to see if he can turn around his recent struggles and contribute effectively to the Padres’ lineup. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if this change in scenery will reignite his career.
Stay tuned for more updates as McKenzie prepares for the upcoming season, and follow the Padres’ spring training developments closely. This move could be the fresh start McKenzie needs to reclaim his place as a top-tier pitcher in Major League Baseball.
