Triston McKenzie Signs Minor League Deal with San Diego Padres

Triston McKenzie, a former standout pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. McKenzie, who spent 11 years in the Guardians organization, was once considered one of the top pitchers in the American League, achieving a notable 2.92 ERA in 2022. However, injuries have significantly impacted his performance in subsequent seasons.

In 2023, McKenzie faced multiple injuries, including a strained Teres Major muscle in his right shoulder, which led to him being placed on the injured list. He made only four appearances in the major leagues that season, posting an 11.12 ERA. Following his designation for assignment after an April 16 game against the Baltimore Orioles, he accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus. His struggles continued in the minors, where he recorded a 7.17 ERA over 21 1/3 innings.

In 2024, McKenzie made 16 starts, finishing with a 5.11 ERA. His overall performance in parts of six seasons with Cleveland includes a record of 21-29 and a 4.07 ERA across 88 games. He struck out 462 batters while allowing 331 hits in 442 innings pitched.

McKenzie will report to spring training with the Padres in February 2025, where he will reunite with pitching coach Ruben Niebla. The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, providing McKenzie an opportunity to revitalize his career after a challenging period.

The Padres' decision to sign McKenzie reflects their interest in his potential to return to form. McKenzie himself has expressed determination to overcome his recent challenges, aiming to leverage the support of the Padres' coaching staff to regain his previous performance levels.

Despite the potential for a comeback, some analysts have raised concerns regarding McKenzie’s ability to return to his 2022 form, given his recent injury history and performance struggles. Critics point to the significant drop in his effectiveness and the high ERA as indicators of the challenges he faces in re-establishing himself as a reliable pitcher.

McKenzie brings upside potential to Padres in Minors deal

As McKenzie prepares for spring training, his performance will be closely monitored. The Padres hope that with the right support and training, he can reclaim his status as a competitive pitcher in Major League Baseball. The upcoming season will be crucial for McKenzie as he seeks to turn around his career trajectory.