ANAHEIM -- Slade Cecconi’s initial foray into the Guardians’ bullpen was short-lived, but the right-hander is beginning to progress toward rejoining Cleveland’s pitching staff.
Cecconi, who went on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 7 with right arm fatigue, began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday. The 27-year-old’s injury popped up after the Guardians moved him from the starting rotation to the bullpen following the acquisition of lefty Foster Griffin before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline.
Here’s what you need to know about Cecconi’s rehab assignment.
How did he perform?
Cecconi tossed a scoreless fifth inning with Triple-A Columbus on the road against Indianapolis on Tuesday. He was set to throw two innings and around 35 pitches, but his outing lasted just one inning after it spanned 26 pitches (15 strikes).
Cecconi allowed a base hit and a walk, and struck out three batters.
What’s next?
Cecconi will make multiple rehab appearances before he is a candidate to rejoin the Guardians’ pitching staff. The club needs to get him built back up after his time away from game action. The question is to what degree Cecconi will be built back up.
What are they saying?
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was asked specifically Tuesday what the Guardians’ buildup plan is for Cecconi.
“We're going to try and build him up as far as we can, obviously," Vogt said. "But we just need to get him back feeling good and feeling healthy, that he can take the ball and go multiple innings."
What else?
Cecconi logged a 4.78 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP in 107 1/3 innings over 21 starts before Griffin supplanted him in the rotation. The Guardians quickly thrust him into a relief role, and Vogt acknowledged earlier this month that the role change likely played into Cecconi’s injury.
Cecconi threw 43 pitches over 2 2/3 innings against the Mets on Aug. 4. Two days later, he threw 30 pitches over the course of five batters and did not record an out before he exited the game. At that point, Cecconi alerted the Guardians’ medical staff of his arm issue.