CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Guardians starter Triston McKenzie is set to resume a throwing program after making progress in his recovery from a shoulder strain.
The team said Monday that McKenzie, who has been sidelined to start the season with a strained teres major muscle, was checked by Dr. Jason Genin on Sunday. The right-hander was cleared to throw with a weighted ball.
As long as he doesn’t have any issues, McKenzie can begin throwing in a few days. Once he’s re-evaluated the Guardians will have a better sense of when he can pitch in games again.
Initially, the defending AL Central champions were worried the 25-year-old McKenzie could miss two months.
McKenzie’s ailment has become more common across Major League Baseball. New York Mets ace Justin Verlander is out with the same injury.
McKenzie went 11-11 with a 2.96 ERA and 190 strikeouts in 30 starts last season while becoming one of the team’s most dependable starters. The Guardians have expressed interest in signing the popular McKenzie to a long-term contract extension.
