Mckenzie rejoins Clippers to work on control
There were no feelings that it was a finished product. There were no thoughts that everything was perfect. But Cleveland did find some encouraging signs as Triston Mckenzie navigated a difficult situation to deliver some mostly-good results, recently, in the majors.
The walks were still there, but so too was a better effort to punch back and recover. The franchise-record eight consecutive strikeouts didn't hurt his confidence, either.
Then Mckenzie took the ball on Saturday, and all of progress didn't make it to the mound with him. Mckenzie faced six batters, walked four and didn't make it out of the inning.
Even in a situation of fluidity with Cleveland's rotation, Mckenzie's control was an issue to the point that the bullpen had to take on the extra workload.
He couldn't be left in the game any longer. And with these issues persisting, he also couldn't remain on the roster any longer. Mckenzie was promptly optioned to triple-a Columbus on Sunday morning.
Like having that prized bass on the hook without being able to fully real it in, Cleveland has been given glimpses of what could be via Mckenzie's wealth of potential. The team has also seen how innings and games have been able to snowball on him, a runaway train of lost command.
"We've seen he's capable of pitching really successfully up here," said president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. "I think he now owns the club record for consecutive strikeouts. So we know it's possible. What we'd like to work with Triston on is making sure we see that version of himself more often than some of the times he's struggled.
"I know you've heard us say this repeatedly, but he's a very young player that's had limited development time in the minor leagues, so we need to make sure we're partnering with him to help him be more consistent."
Mckenzie's situation, in a greater sense, represents that of much of the roster, and especially the rotation: a player short on track record with plenty of youth (Mckenzie is 23) having to balance
his development between the majors and the minor leagues. Mckenzie, Logan Allen, Sam Hentges, J.C. Mejia and others would all also qualify.
Manager Terry Francona said earlier this season that some "hiccups" would be expected with so many younger contributors on the active 26-man roster. Without much in terms of free agency flexibility, Cleveland has had to rely on the bevy of internal options.
Mckenzie earlier this season was sent to Columbus to work on his control issues. He looked to be on his way to further establishing himself in Cleveland's major league rotation before the meltdown on Saturday. Now, it's back to Columbus.
"It's a balance," Antonetti said. "I think what we're always seeking to do is how do we figure out the best developmental environment for the player to continue to progress to improve. But also, how do we win games? Ideally, when it's at its best, is both of those are happening at the same time.