This past spring, right-handed pitcher was given what appeared to be a much-needed opportunity to revive his Major League Baseball career when he agreed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.
For a player whose trajectory once pointed toward stardom, the deal represented a fresh start and a chance to reestablish himself after several difficult seasons. At the time, it seemed like an ideal scenario for both sides — a low-risk move for the Padres and a potentially career-saving opportunity for Him.
Earlier in his career, He had steadily climbed through the Cleveland Guardians’ farm system, earning recognition as one of the organization’s most promising young arms. His development culminated in a standout 2022 campaign in which he showcased the kind of dominance that led many to believe he could become a cornerstone of Cleveland’s rotation.
During that season, he displayed excellent command, a deceptive delivery, and the ability to generate swings and misses with consistency, all of which contributed to a sub-3.00 ERA and elevated expectations about his future. (HEAVY)
However, the momentum he built in 2022 proved difficult to sustain. Injuries began to derail his progress, particularly during the 2023 season when arm issues significantly limited his availability and effectiveness. These physical setbacks not only interrupted his development but also impacted his performance when he was able to take the mound.
As a result, McKenzie struggled to replicate the form that once made him such a highly regarded pitcher. Over time, his standing within the Guardians organization diminished, and eventually, his tenure with the team came to an end.
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By the time he reached free agency, McKenzie found himself at a crossroads. Still relatively young at 28 years old, he retained the potential that once made him a top prospect, but he also carried the burden of inconsistency and health concerns. That combination made it difficult for teams to commit to him at the major league level. The Padres’ decision to sign him to a minor league contract therefore offered a compromise — a chance to prove himself without requiring an immediate roster spot.
One of the most intriguing aspects of McKenzie’s move to San Diego was the reunion with pitching coach Ruben Niebla, who had previously worked with him during his time in Cleveland. Niebla was familiar with McKenzie’s mechanics, strengths, and areas that needed refinement, making him an ideal mentor for a pitcher attempting to rediscover his form.
The pairing raised hopes that McKenzie could regain some of the effectiveness he showed earlier in his career, particularly if he could make adjustments to his pitch mix and regain confidence on the mound. (MLB.com)
Additionally, the minor league setting provided McKenzie with a valuable opportunity to work on his craft away from the intense scrutiny that comes with pitching at the major league level. In Triple-A El Paso, he could focus on rebuilding his arsenal, fine-tuning his mechanics, and gradually improving his command without the pressure of immediate results impacting a big league team. For many players in similar situations, this kind of environment can be crucial in facilitating a successful comeback.
Unfortunately, the results did not match the optimism surrounding his signing. During his time with the El Paso Chihuahuas, McKenzie struggled significantly, particularly with his command and ability to limit damage. His outings were often marked by high pitch counts, an inability to consistently find the strike zone, and difficulties putting hitters away. These issues translated into poor statistical results, including an inflated earned run average and a high number of walks relative to strikeouts. (CBS Sports)
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In one of his early appearances for El Paso, the struggles were evident. McKenzie lasted only a couple of innings, issuing multiple walks and failing to establish rhythm or control. Performances like that highlighted the ongoing challenges he faced in regaining his previous level of effectiveness. (Friars on Base) Even as he continued to receive opportunities, the consistency needed to earn a promotion back to the majors never materialized.
Ultimately, the Padres made the decision to move on. On Monday, the organization released McKenzie from their Triple-A affiliate, bringing his brief stint with the team to an end. (SI) The move was another setback for a player who once appeared destined for a long and successful career in a major league rotation. It also underscored the harsh reality of professional baseball, where performance and results often dictate opportunity, regardless of past success or potential.
Despite the disappointing outcome, McKenzie’s situation remains complex. At 28, he is not yet past the point of being able to reinvent himself, and there is still time for him to find a path back to the majors. Many pitchers have experienced similar declines before making adjustments that allowed them to extend their careers, whether by refining their mechanics, altering their pitch selection, or transitioning into different roles such as relief pitching.
Nevertheless, his release represents another significant downturn in what has become a challenging stretch of his career. Not long ago, McKenzie was widely viewed as a future ace for Cleveland, a pitcher capable of anchoring a rotation for years to come. His combination of size, athleticism, and pitchability made him a unique and exciting talent. The contrast between those expectations and his current situation highlights just how quickly fortunes can change in professional sports.
The decline also illustrates the impact injuries can have on even the most promising players. What began as a temporary setback in 2023 ultimately altered the trajectory of McKenzie’s career, leading to diminished performance and, eventually, his departure from the Guardians organization. From there, his attempt at a comeback with the Padres, while filled with hope, ultimately fell short.
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Looking ahead, McKenzie’s future remains uncertain but not without possibilities. Given his prior success and relatively young age, it would not be surprising to see another team take a chance on him, perhaps offering a similar minor league deal or an opportunity to compete for a bullpen role. Organizations are often willing to invest in pitchers with proven upside, particularly when the cost is minimal and the potential reward is significant.
For McKenzie, the next step will likely involve reassessing his approach, identifying the factors that contributed to his struggles, and making the necessary adjustments to regain competitiveness. Whether that involves mechanical changes, improved conditioning, or a reworked pitch arsenal, the path forward will require both patience and persistence.
In the broader context, his journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball careers. Players who appear to be on the verge of stardom can quickly find themselves fighting to stay in the game, while others emerge unexpectedly to take their place. McKenzie’s story, marked by early promise, adversity, and ongoing attempts at redemption, reflects the challenges and uncertainties that define the sport.
For now, his release from the Padres marks another chapter in that story — one that underscores both how far he has fallen from his peak and how much work remains if he hopes to climb back.
Triston McKenzie was designated for assignment by the Padres
Triston McKenzie’s latest designation for assignment did not come as much of a shock, especially when you take a closer look at his performance in Triple-A this season. Pitching for El Paso, the right-hander posted a staggering 15.98 earned run average across just 16⅓ innings.
While he did manage to record 22 strikeouts during that stretch, those numbers were overshadowed by a glaring issue that has defined his recent struggles — control. McKenzie issued an astonishing 40 walks in those same 16⅓ innings, a rate that is almost unheard of at any professional level. (Fox Sports)
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To put that into perspective, he was averaging more than two walks per inning, a figure that makes sustained success nearly impossible. Even pitchers with elite strikeout ability cannot overcome that level of wildness, and for McKenzie, it proved to be a fatal flaw in his attempt to work his way back to the majors. The sheer volume of free passes not only inflated his ERA but also forced him into constant high-pressure situations, making it difficult to establish any rhythm or consistency on the mound.
When examining McKenzie’s career trajectory, there is a very clear turning point: the 2023 season. Up until that point, he had been on a steady upward path, highlighted by his breakout performance in 2022. However, everything changed when he suffered a right elbow sprain in 2023, an injury that limited him to just four starts that entire year. That setback effectively halted his momentum and marked the beginning of a prolonged period of uncertainty.
Rather than opting for surgery to address the issue, McKenzie chose a rehabilitation route. That decision allowed him to avoid a lengthy recovery process typically associated with surgical procedures, giving him a chance to return sooner. However, it also carried risk, as rehabbing an elbow injury without surgical intervention can sometimes lead to lingering issues or incomplete recovery.
He was able to return to action in the 2024 season, but the results were far from encouraging. Over 16 starts, McKenzie recorded a 5.11 ERA, a noticeable decline from the dominance he displayed just two years earlier. While he showed flashes of his former self at times, he struggled to maintain consistency, and his command issues began to surface more frequently. Eventually, the Cleveland Guardians decided to option him to Triple-A Columbus, signaling that he was no longer a reliable option in their major league rotation.
The following year, in 2025, McKenzie’s role shifted even further. Instead of being viewed as a starting pitcher, he began the season working out of the bullpen as a long reliever for the Guardians. This transition was an indication of how much his standing within the organization had changed. Once projected as a future ace, he was now being used in a more limited and flexible role, often tasked with eating innings rather than leading the rotation.
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That experiment did not last long. Roughly one month into the 2025 campaign, the Guardians designated him for assignment, effectively ending his tenure with the team that had developed him. It was a significant moment, as it marked the departure of a player who had once been considered a cornerstone of their pitching staff.
The contrast between McKenzie’s current situation and his peak is striking. In 2022, he delivered what remains the best season of his career, posting a 2.96 ERA over 191⅓ innings during the regular season. He also made a strong impact in the postseason, adding 11 innings of high-quality work that further solidified his reputation as one of the league’s most promising young pitchers. (RotoWire)
That performance was so impressive that the Guardians reportedly explored the possibility of signing him to a long-term contract extension. At the time, it seemed like a logical move, as McKenzie appeared to be on the verge of becoming a frontline starter. However, those discussions were ultimately derailed by the elbow injury that surfaced shortly thereafter, altering the course of his career.
Now, McKenzie finds himself heading into free agency for the second time, but under vastly different circumstances. Unlike his previous trip to the open market, when he still carried significant upside and intrigue, he is now coming off a difficult stretch in which his control issues have been a major concern. Averaging more than two walks per outing at the Triple-A level is not the kind of profile that inspires confidence among potential suitors.
In the past, players like McKenzie — pitchers with a proven track record and flashes of high-end talent — would often be given extended opportunities to work through their struggles in the minor leagues. Teams were generally willing to keep such players in their system, hoping they could rediscover their form and provide value either as starters or relievers. Even if they did not fully return to their peak performance, they could still serve as useful depth options capable of covering innings.
However, the landscape of Major League Baseball has changed in recent years. With stricter roster limits and increased emphasis on flexibility, teams are becoming more selective about how they allocate their minor league spots. Veterans who are not producing are finding it harder to hold onto those opportunities, especially when organizations have younger prospects they want to develop.
For McKenzie, this shift has made his situation even more challenging. Despite his past success and pedigree, his recent struggles have made it difficult for teams to justify giving him a roster spot, even at the Triple-A level. The margin for error has become smaller, and players in his position must show tangible improvement quickly in order to remain in the picture.
That said, it would be premature to declare the end of McKenzie’s career. Pitching remains one of the most in-demand commodities in baseball, and teams are always searching for arms with upside. Given his history — particularly his standout 2022 season — there is still reason to believe that he could rediscover some of his previous effectiveness.
The key for McKenzie moving forward will be addressing the control issues that have plagued him in recent years. While his ability to generate strikeouts suggests that his raw stuff is still intact, his inability to consistently locate pitches has undermined his effectiveness. Improving his command, whether through mechanical adjustments, changes in approach, or further physical recovery, will be critical if he hopes to earn another opportunity.
Additionally, he may need to embrace a different role. While he was once viewed as a starting pitcher with ace potential, a transition to a bullpen role could provide a more realistic path back to the majors. In shorter outings, he may be able to focus on a simplified pitch mix and rely more heavily on his strengths, potentially reducing the impact of his control issues.
Ultimately, McKenzie’s journey serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in professional sports. Just a few years ago, he was one of the brightest young pitchers in the game, with a future that seemed full of promise. Today, he is fighting to keep his career alive, navigating the challenges that come with injuries, inconsistency, and evolving roster dynamics.
While his recent struggles have been severe, his story is not yet finished. If he can make the necessary adjustments and regain some semblance of control, there is still a path for him to return to the major leagues. But time is becoming a factor, and the window for a turnaround may not remain open indefinitely.
For now, McKenzie stands at another crossroads — one that will determine whether he can once again rise to the level that once made him one of baseball’s most intriguing young arms, or whether his career will continue to trend in the wrong direction.
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