Williams (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings Wednesday as the Guardians fell 8-2 to the White Sox. He struck out two.
Making his 2024 debut after recovering from an elbow injury he suffered during spring training, Williams faded quickly and served up back-to-back doubles to Lenyn Sosa and Nicky Lopez in the fourth inning to kick off a four-run frame for Chicago. The right-hander got lifted after 74 pitches (46 strikes), but some rust isn't surprising and Cleveland will give him time to find a rhythm on the mound. Williams is scheduled to make his next start on the road early next week in Detroit.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Making first start Wednesday
Rotowire
Williams (elbow), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list earlier Sunday, is scheduled to make his first start of the season for the Guardians on Wednesday versus the White Sox at Progressive Field.
Williams' 30-day rehab window came to a close Sunday, so the Guardians brought him back from the IL a few days before he's set to make his 2024 MLB debut. The right-hander submitted a 7.88 ERA and 2.00 WHIP across eight innings over his first four rehab starts with Triple-A Columbus, but he looked strong his last two times out, turning in five- and four-inning starts while allowing two total runs and submitting a 10:2 K:BB between those outings. The Guardians will likely keep the 24-year-old's workload in check to some extent Wednesday, but based on how he concluded his rehab assignment, Williams might be worthy of activating this week while he faces off against a weak White Sox lineup.
The Guardians reinstated Williams (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Cleveland designated right-hander Darren McCaughan for assignment and demoted right-hander Triston McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus to clear spots on the 40-man roster, 26-man active roster and in the rotation for Williams, who is poised to make his 2024 debut for the Guardians during the club's three-game series versus the White Sox this week. Williams had been on the shelf all season after injuring his right elbow during a weighted-ball workout in spring training, but he looks to be stretched out for starting duty after covering five and four innings in the final two of his six rehab outings at Triple-A Columbus. After turning in a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts as a rookie in 2023, Williams makes for an appealing pickup in shallower formats where he might still be kicking around on the waiver wire.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Strong results in rehab outing
Rotowire
Williams (elbow) yielded one run on three hits and two walks over four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.
Williams wasn't very efficient, needing 82 pitches to cover his four frames. The results were impressive, though, as he struck out six, induced 16 whiffs and gave up just one batted ball hit at 95-plus mph. The Guardians have not confirmed any plans for when Williams' season debut for them will occur, but it could be next week, as soon as Tuesday versus the White Sox. Williams has been on the injured list all season with a right elbow problem.
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Making another rehab start
Rotowire
Williams (elbow) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.
Williams built up to 66 pitches in his most recent rehab outing with Columbus, striking out four over five innings of one-run ball. The Guardians would like him to get stretched out just a bit more before likely reinserting him into their rotation next week. Williams has been out all season with a right elbow injury, which he suffered during a weighted-ball workout in spring training.
Guardians' Gavin Williams: Builds up to 66 pitches
Rotowire
Williams (elbow) struck out four and allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks across five innings in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Columbus.
Making the fifth start of his rehab assignment, Williams delivered his longest outing yet in terms of both innings and pitches (66, 47 strikes). A decision on Williams' next step hasn't been decided, but the Guardians may want to see him get over the 70-pitch mark with one more rehab start during the upcoming week before he makes his long-awaited return from the 60-day injured list. The young right-hander has been on the shelf all season with elbow discomfort, an injury that stemmed from him making an awkward throw during a weighted-ball workout in spring training.
