PITTSBURGH – High-pitched pitching prospect Triston McKenzie is scheduled to make his big league debut Saturday night for the Cleveland Indians.
The right-hander will start at home against Detroit. He worked at the Indians’ Alternative Education Site in Eastlake, Ohio.
The Indians announced McKenzie as likely on Saturday for Thursday night’s game against the Pirates.
McKenzie, 23, missed last season due to a shoulder injury after pitching at Double-A Akron in 2018. He went 26-16 with a 2.68 ERA in 60 fewer league games over four seasons.
McKenzie was an additional draft pick for first round in 2015.
McKenzie’s call means Zach Plesac will not be appearing in Detroit this weekend.
Plesac and pitcher Mike Clevinger were sent to the alternative site last week. They were found to have broken the COVID-19 protocol by leaving the team hotel last weekend in Chicago.
Plesac was placed Thursday for a simulated game. Clevinger put up five innings in the same scenario on Wednesday.
First base coach Sandy Alomar Jr., who has been running the Indians while manager Terry Francona is dealing with a gastrointestinal illness, was asked what advice he would give McKenzie.
“Just be yourself, trust yourself,” said Alomar, a six-time All-Star catcher for Cleveland. “It’s a different level, but you still have to strike and do the things that made you successful in the minor leagues.”
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