Injuries & Moves: Bieber, McKenzie to face live hitters
LATEST NEWS
Sept. 4: RHPs Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie set to face live hitters
After throwing bullpen sessions at Progressive Field, the Guardians are ready to send Bieber and McKenzie to High-A Lake County to face live hitters. Bieber will throw on Thursday and McKenzie is scheduled to pitch on Friday. Assuming that goes well, the pair could then begin a rehab assignment to try to be back on the Major League roster before the end of the season.
Sept. 3: 1B Josh Naylor (right oblique strain) activated from 10-day injured list
After spending a little more than a month on the shelf with a right oblique strain Naylor was activated off the injured list ahead of the Guardians’ Sunday afternoon tilt vs. the Rays. It's a move that the Guardians hope will help them narrow the gap against the Twins in the AL Central. More >>>
INJURY UPDATES
10- and 15-day IL
RHP Michael Kelly (lower back strain)
Expected return: TBD
Kelly was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 18 after experiencing spasms in his lower back. Kelly felt them while the club was in Cincinnati earlier in the week, preventing him from being used in relief for the entire series. (Last updated: Aug. 18)
60-day IL
RHP Shane Bieber (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: Mid-September
Bieber threw a bullpen session on Aug. 31 in which he used all his pitches. Bieber’s first 'pen (thrown Aug. 28 in Minnesota) was all fastballs. After his latest up-and-down bullpen, he's scheduled to head to High-A Lake County on Sept. 7 to face live hitters for the first time since landing on the IL. If that goes well, he could then be sent on a rehab assignment.
Bieber was sent for an MRI on his right forearm on July 14, and after an appointment with Dr. Keith Meister on July 16, it was decided that he wouldn't need surgery. (Last updated: Sept. 4)
RHP Triston McKenzie (right UCL sprain)
Expected return: Mid-September
McKenzie, who was scratched from his June 16 start vs. the D-backs with right elbow discomfort, had a successful bullpen session on Aug. 29 in Minnesota. He threw 25 pitches, all fastballs. He had an up-and-down 'pen on Sept. 4 and is slated to face live hitters at High-A Lake County on Sept. 8.
The right-hander started the season on the IL with a right teres major strain. He made his 2023 debut on June 4, but he only made two starts before landing on the IL again with the UCL sprain. After getting different opinions on the next steps for his injury at the end of June and the beginning of July, McKenzie eventually decided to avoid surgery. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 6. (Last updated: Sept. 4)