Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie aiming to return to end year with a 'calm mind'
CLEVELAND — Barring an absolutely wild finish that would end in a glorious tale that Cleveland baseball fans pass down for generations like Homer's "The Odyssey," there isn't going to be time for Shane Bieber or Triston McKenzie to make an impact in the American League Central race.
Entering Saturday, the Guardians are eight games behind the Minnesota Twins with only 14 left to play.
Bieber (inflammation) and McKenzie (UCL sprain), both sidelined with elbow issues, have had to watch Cleveland's chase, one that is on the cusp of ultimately falling short, from the sidelines. McKenzie has been on the injured list since June 17. Bieber joined roughly a month later, on July 15.
And for the last few weeks, the two have virtually been on the same schedule in their bids to return to the mound before the 2023 season comes to a close. Bieber has effectively been one day ahead of McKenzie, as their schedules eventually lined up.
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Both made their first rehab appearances this week with the RubberDucks, Bieber on Tuesday and McKenzie on Wednesday. Bieber threw 50 pitches, topping out at 92 mph and allowing one earned run in 3⅔ hitless innings with four strikeouts. McKenzie tossed 44 pitches, topping out at 93 mph and allowing one earned run with four strikeouts in three innings.
In both cases, their goal has been to join the playoff chase, though the schedule was never on their side. But a secondary goal is to simply ensure they can reach a certain level of intensity before heading home for the winter and their respective offseason programs.
"I definitely think that's been the goal since I got hurt, knowing that I want to be able to come back and pitch this year and do so healthily," McKenzie said. "Then I can go into the offseason with a calm mind."
Manager Terry Franonca noted Friday that Bieber and McKenzie could throw about 65 pitches in their next rehab appearances, which could come Sunday and Tuesday, respectively, with McKenzie now two days behind solely due to minor league scheduled off days.
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In both cases, the Guardians have to be cautious. Bieber has had two injury-riddled seasons in the last three years, and he'll remain a leading trade candidate as he enters 2024, which is his last under team control. McKenzie injuring his UCL — which is tied to Tommy John surgery — will always require extra carefulness on the part of the club.
"Rehab is tough. They make you do it one day at a time, truly," Bieber said. "I realize it's for the better — you gotta take things one day at a time and progress slowly."
McKenzie has remained cautious, but he said he wasn't fearful of re-injuring his elbow as he retakes the mound.
"I think I was still hesitant to a degree, but not scared by any means," McKenzie said. "I wasn't fearful of anything. … I think as competitors, our biggest desire is to be out there on the field at the big league level again. I'm obviously pushing to be out there, and I think the trainers are doing a good job of making sure I'm staying present and staying in the moment."
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Their hope is they can return before the clock has wound down on the Guardians' postseason chances, though it's already one tick from midnight. The goal, at least, is to know the return trip to the mound in Cleveland is complete before packing things up for the year.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians' Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie progressing from injuries
