CLEVELAND -- Slade Cecconi’s initial foray into the Guardians’ bullpen was short-lived, but the right-hander is progressing toward rejoining Cleveland’s pitching staff.
When and in what capacity is what the Guardians are still figuring out.
Cecconi, who went on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 7 with right arm fatigue, continued his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. 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 allowed two runs on two hits over 2 2/3 innings in relief with Columbus in its 9-6 win over Indianapolis. He threw 45 pitches (including 28 strikes), which was in line with the Guardians’ plan for him to throw around three innings and 50 pitches.
Sunday was an organic progression from Cecconi’s first rehab appearance with the Clippers. He pitched a scoreless fifth inning in Columbus' 8-5 loss to Indianapolis on Tuesday. He allowed a base hit and a walk and struck out three batters in that outing, while throwing 26 pitches (15 strikes) and another 10 in the bullpen afterward.
What’s next?
The Guardians wanted Cecconi to build up his volume to some degree on his rehab assignment. Now they have a decision to make.
Active rosters will expand to 28 players on Tuesday. The Guardians will be able to add one pitcher and position player to their mix. Cecconi could come off the IL and rejoin the bullpen. Cleveland otherwise could have him make another rehab appearance to build up his pitch count further.
Another option is not activating Cecconi on Tuesday and saving him for Friday, when the Guardians have a doubleheader scheduled against the Tigers at Progressive Field. He could serve as the 27th man in the twin bill, whether he's fully built up or not.
What are they saying?
The Guardians did not have Cecconi’s next steps finalized as of Sunday morning
“We’ll have a decision after today,” president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Sunday. “We’ll have to decide what’s next. Does he go on another rehab assignment? Is he an option for us in the Major Leagues?”
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.