CLEVELAND — 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 reevaluated, 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 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 player to a long-term contract extension.