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Triston McKenzie? Travis Bazzana? Who could join Guardians when rosters expand?
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- Triston McKenzie? Travis Bazzana? Who could join Guardians when rosters expand?
CLEVELAND — A Triple-A roster is often a smattering of players in different phases of their careers, but all holding the common goal of receiving the phone call to head to the majors.
Some are working their way up that ladder as prospects, many of them highly touted and finally on the doorstep to Cleveland. Others are grinding with the hopes of returning to the big show after a poor showing, an injury, or both.
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Major league rosters expand Sept. 1, allowing clubs to carry 28 players, up from the normal 26. The Guardians are hanging onto the playoff race by their teeth at 68-66 and three games outside of a wild card spot after an Aug. 30 win over the Seattle Mariners .
As they often do, the Guardians are straddling the line between contending now and paving the way for development, a move indicated by the outright release of Carlos Santana , who had struggled for the last several weeks and was blocking at-bats for C.J. Kayfus and Kyle Manzardo .
Several players on the Triple-A roster would be ideal candidates for promotion in a perfect world for the Guardians, but injuries and other circumstances might eliminate them as potential candidates. That list includes outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamate bone surgery), infielder Juan Brito (hamstring injury) and Trevor Stephan (Tommy John surgery). Although they might be able to return to action by the end of the regular season, time is running out to build back up to needed volume to make an impact.
If life were like a video game, and the Guardians could turn off injuries, it seems likely that DeLauter, Brito, Stephan and others would all be in the majors right now. But, alas, they live in a mortal reality void of the ability to ward off the physical ailments that occasionally derail the best-laid plans.
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Here are some the most interesting cases when looking at who could help the Guardians in September, whether it be with the wild card race in mind or setting up progression with younger players.
Could Travis Bazzana make MLB debut in 2025?
All eyes continue to be on the 2024 No. 1 overall draft selection but, like many others, Travis Bazzana had his 2025 development delayed by injuries. As a result, he's logged only 15 games in Triple-A Columbus, posting a .200 average and .737 OPS.
It's unlikely the Guardians would start his service time clock this September, especially given their standing as roughly a .500 team. It remains possible, though, that Bazzana could break spring camp with the club and open the 2026 season in Cleveland.
Guardians starter Triston McKenzie delivers a pitch against the Yankees on April 13, 2024, in Cleveland.
Could Triston McKenzie return to Cleveland?
Triston McKenzie has had a lengthy, winding road to even get back to a Triple-A mound, let alone the majors. He was only recently transferred from the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz., to Triple-A Columbus.
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McKenzie's mechanics and ability to repeat his delivery were lost after he attempted to return from an elbow injury, and he's been searching for it ever since. The propensity for walks followed him to the minor leagues, and it seems as though additional work is needed before he could be an option in Cleveland.
Could pitchers Joey Cantillo or John Means join Guardians pitching staff?
Three pitchers, all already on the 40-man roster, represent some intriguing choices for the Guardians.
Joey Cantillo has actually pitched better in the majors (3.93 ERA in 66⅓ innings) than Triple-A (5.06 ERA in 21⅓ innings). The Guardians have liked some stretches from him, but he's also struggled to find the consistency needed from a major league starter. He could also easily join the staff in any role.
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John Means was brought to Cleveland to continue his rehab from a second Tommy John surgery. He got up to 61 pitches in his last rehab assignment and is scheduled to pitch for Columbus Aug. 31. It's possible he could return to the majors this September, but the Guardians also won't be rushing anything with only a few weeks left in the regular season.
Could outfielders Jhonkensy Noel , Johnathan Rodriguez work their way back to majors?
The Guardians just released Santana in part to give more at-bats to Kayfus and Manzardo, which could take into account first base, right field (for Kayfus) and the designated hitter spot ( which also includes David Fry ), so bringing up Jhonkensy Noel or Johnathan Rodriguez might not make perfect sense, but both could use another look in the majors.
Noel had a rough showing in the majors this season (.140 average in 107 at-bats), but he's slugged 14 home runs and posted an .836 OPS in Triple-A. His bat, of course, carries light-tower power. It's just a matter of making enough contact.
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Johnathan Rodriguez has put up similar numbers. He hit just .167 in 66 at-bats with Cleveland earlier this season, but he's hit 10 home runs and posted an .853 OPS in Columbus.
Either could also receive some time in the DH spot.
Another option would be for the Guardians to recall Dom Nunez , who's on the 40-man roster and would simply add some depth at catcher for the stretch run.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Could Travis Bazzana, Triston McKenzie, others be called up by Guardians?
