Hunter Gaddis and Konnor Pilkington are strong contenders to be starters for the Cleveland Guardians as Triston McKenzie rehabs from injury.
The Cleveland Guardians were given the unfortunate news that their beloved starter, Triston McKenzie, would miss the start of the season with a back strain. He's being shut down for two weeks and his whole rehab process could take up to two months.
I hope that it turns out to be shorter than expected, but it does appear that McKenzie will spend a lengthy stint on the injured list.
This leaves the Guardians with plenty of starts that need to be filled. But who will that pitcher be?
As much as I'd love to see Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, or Joey Cantillo surprisingly crack the Big League club, that doesn't seem likely right now with it being so early in the season.
These are some candidates, who are already on the roster, that could enter the Guardians rotation while McKenzie is out.
Hunter Gaddis
How about starting with someone who is already on Cleveland's Opening Day roster?
Hunter Gaddis made the team as a bullpen arm but was going to have to adjust to this new role. He's been a starter his entire life, but his numbers this spring have been too good to leave him in the minors.
Gaddis left Spring Training with a 2.77 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over five games (two of them starts) and 13.0 innings.
With Gaddis already being comfortable as a starter and seeing what he's done this spring, it would make a lot of sense for him to get some starts for Cleveland early in the season.
Konnor Pilkington
Could Guardians fans see the return of the Pilk-Man?!
Konnor Pilkington was Cleveland's sixth starter during the 2022 season and was the designated doubleheader arm, which ended up being needed quite often with all of their rainouts early in the season.
The lefty started 11 games for the Guardians last season and posted a 4.41 ERA in those starts. That's definitely higher than you would like to see from a starter, but perhaps a year of experience as a starter will do Pilkington well if he finds himself back in the rotation.
Pilkington isn't on the Opening Day roster, but he is on the 40-man making a roster move for him seamless.
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