CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians optioned Triston McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus for the fourth time this season on Sunday after the right-hander failed to get out of the first inning against Seattle a day earlier.
McKenzie had been called up from the Columbus before the game. He issued four walks, including one with the bases loaded, and retired two of the six batters he faced.
McKenzie, who began the season in the rotation, leads the AL with 39 walks. He struck 10 in 5 1/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox on May 31 but followed that with Saturday’s short outing. McKenzie is 1-3 with a 6.38 ERA in 11 games.
Cleveland used seven relievers Saturday and rallied for a 5-4 win in 10 innings.
The Indians’ rotation has struggled behind Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale. Zach Plesac broke his right thumb when he angrily pulled off his shirt after a poor outing last month. He began a playing catch last week.
McKenzie, Logan Allen, J.C. Mejia, Sam Hentges, Cal Quantrill and Eli Morgan have been used as starters.
Infielder Ernie Clement was called up from Columbus.
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