Daily Archives: May 24, 2022

James Karinchak to begin rehab assignment

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It has been a long time, but James Karinchak is inching closer to his Cleveland Guardians return. The electric reliever has officially left Arizona and has arrived in Columbus to begin a rehab assignment. This is after Karinchak suffered an injury during spring training which led to his extended stay in Arizona.

James Karinchak acquired the eyes of many once he took the mound for the Guardians. Incredibly effective for Cleveland, Karinchak’s first two seasons saw the reliever finish with a 2.51 ERA, 1.052 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts per 9.

2021 was not as kind to Karinchak as 2019 and 2020. In 60 games Karinchak had a 4.07 ERA, 1.211 WHIP, and 12.7 strikeouts per 9. This includes a 39 game stretch where it was about as bad as bad can be for the young right hander. Allowing 24 runs in 34.2 innings, a slash line of .241/.360/.474, an an ERA of 6.23. Important to note is that this start predates the sticky stuff crackdown in MLB by about a month. Focusing on post June 21 shows Karinchak with slightly better numbers, but still less than acceptable by an MLB reliever (15 earned runs in 23.2 innings, .233/.346/.456 opponent slash line, 5.70 ERA).

Even if James Karinchak does not fully return to form it will be a massive boost for the Guardians bullpen. Bringing Karinchak back into the mix would provide a little bit of stability to a group that has been up and down to start the year.

Guardians come out on top in Houston, win 6-1

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Getting a win against the Astros is not easy, especially if the game is in Houston. That is just what the Guardians did Monday night. Cleveland came into Minute Maid Park and handed the AL West leaders a 6-1 loss.

Propelling the Guardians offense was none other than Jose Ramirez. With Cleveland clinging to a 2-0 lead, it was Ramirez who doubled that with a two-run shot in the 5th. The perennial MVP candidate would finish the game 2-5 with four RBI.

Triston McKenzie was dominant on the mound, allowing just three hits while walking one over 7 innings with one run coming across to score. Nick Sandlin, Sam Hentges, and Emmanuel Clase would handle the final two frames.

This was a much needed win for the Guardina as they are coming off a 1-3 stretch against two of the worst teams in baseball (Reds, Tigers). While a series win should not be the expectation against Houston, winning one and being competitive in the other two is a realistic outcome. So far so good as one game has already gone to Cleveland’s way.

Game 2 will take place at 8:10 P.M. with Zach Plesac and Framber Valdez starting for each side.