The Cleveland Guardians have set their sights on a September 20 return for Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie, their injured right-handers, in a bid to close the gap on the Minnesota Twins, who currently lead the American League Central. Bieber, the recipient of the 2020 AL Cy Young Award, last pitched on July 9 due to inflammation in his right elbow, while McKenzie has been on the injured list since June 17 with a sprained right elbow.
Guardians manager Terry Francona expressed his optimism, stating that both pitchers have diligently followed their recovery plans. Francona emphasized the importance of their return, saying, “Hopefully, they’ll stay on track and come back and pitch for us.” With the team trailing the Twins by five games, the Guardians need all hands on deck to mount a comeback. Francona hopes that their progress will continue smoothly without any setbacks.
Previously hesitant to disclose a timetable for their return, Francona has now revealed that the goal is for Bieber and McKenzie to make multiple starts for the Guardians within the final two weeks of the regular season. To reach this goal, both pitchers will face live hitters later in the week at Class A Lake County before embarking on minor league rehab assignments. The activation of Bieber and McKenzie will depend on their ability to throw 85 pitches comfortably.
An Overview of their Performances
Shane Bieber, hailed as the Guardians’ staff ace, started 19 games before the All-Star break, posting a 5-6 record with a 3.77 ERA. Despite encountering arm injuries, Bieber displayed his undeniable talent and was recognized with the AL Cy Young Award in 2020. On the other hand, Triston McKenzie has only been able to make two appearances this year, covering a total of 10 innings. The young right-hander’s potential has been hampered by the sprained right elbow, but the Guardians remain hopeful for his return.
The Cleveland Guardians are eagerly anticipating the return of their star pitchers, Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie, in their quest to close the gap in the AL Central. Manager Terry Francona’s decision to disclose a rough timetable reflects the team’s urgency to bolster their rotation. The Guardians will be relying on Bieber’s experience and McKenzie’s potential to reignite their playoff aspirations. As the regular season nears its end, the Guardians are banking on the successful recovery of these talented right-handers to propel them towards a postseason push.
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