Guardians DFA former top prospect McKenzie

Cleveland Guardians right-hander and former top prospect Triston McKenzie was designated for assignment, the team announced Monday.

Right-hander Zak Kent was selected from Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move.

McKenzie was once a rising star in the Guardians' organization and ranked among their top prospects prior to his call-up in 2020. A first-round pick (42nd overall) in 2015, he broke out in 2022 when he helped Cleveland to a surprising division title by posting a 2.96 ERA and team-best 0.95 WHIP over 30 starts.

Unfortunately, he was never able to rediscover that form. A shoulder issue limited McKenzie to four starts in 2023, and he spent last year bouncing between the majors and Triple-A while posting ERAs above five at both levels.

The 27-year-old made the team out of spring training last month as a long reliever but allowed seven earned runs over 5 2/3 innings while issuing more walks (seven) than he had strikeouts (four) in his four regular-season appearances. In his most recent outing on April 16, McKenzie surrendered four runs on three hits in one inning and didn't strike out a batter.

Manager Stephen Vogt described the decision to cut McKenzie as a tough one for the organization, calling the Brooklyn native "one of the best people I've gotten to know in this game."

"As you saw, it was really difficult to find innings for Triston," Vogt said, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. "And that's really what led to the decision. With the way our bullpen's throwing the ball, it was tough. When someone's out of options, it isn't easy. It's not perfect, but this is why sometimes you have to make these really difficult decisions."

The Guardians now have seven days to either trade, release, or outright McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus.

Kent, who takes McKenzie's spot on both the active and 40-man rosters, will make his MLB debut when he gets into a game. The 27-year-old owns a 2.35 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and four walks over five relief appearances at Triple-A this season.