Williams (3-10) took the loss Tuesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
The Cleveland right-hander's losing streak now stands at three, although, he performed much better in this 89-pitch outing. Williams entered having allowed eight runs across his last six innings and managed to generate a solid 16 whiffs en route to his seven punchouts. The 25-year-old just couldn't handle Matt Wallner, as the Minnesota slugger drove in both runs allowed via a pair of RBI singles. Williams has now pitched to a 5.12 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 76:30 K:BB across 70.1 innings this season. He lines up to make his next start against the Cardinals in St. Louis this weekend.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Takes ninth loss
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Williams (3-9) took the loss against the Rays on Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.
Williams got off to a rocky start, surrendering a solo homer to Brandon Lowe in the second at-bat of the game to put Cleveland in an early hole. The Rays would get to the right-hander again in the fourth, this time for two runs after he allowed three of the first five batters to reach. Williams would not make it through six frames for the fifth time in his last six starts while going on to take his second straight loss. He now carries a 6.23 ERA in September over three starts to go along with an 11:7 K:BB. Williams has also issued multiple walks in six consecutive outings.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Can't get through opening frame
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Williams (3-8) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks over two-thirds of an inning. He did not record a strikeout.
Williams had a start he'd like to forget Saturday, issuing three consecutive walks with one out in the first inning before then surrendering a ground-rule double along with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to put Cleveland in an early hole. The right-hander did not make it through the frame and would end up being charged with a fifth run after being relieved by Pedro Avila. It easily marked Williams' shortest outing of the campaign and came after he hurled seven innings of one-run ball in his previous start, while it also marked his first start in which he failed to record a strikeout. Furthermore, Williams has now lost four of his last five starts, issuing multiple free passes in each of those outings.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Saddled with seventh loss
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Williams (2-7) took the loss Tuesday against the Royals, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.
The Cleveland right-hander's run of tough luck continues, as he took his third consecutive loss in this rain-shortened, 83-pitch outing. However, the only blemish on this particular night was a two-run homer allowed to Paul DeJong in the second inning. The 25-year-old Williams has now pitched to a 4.99 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 58:21 K:BB across 52.1 innings this season. He currently lines up to make his next appearance against the Pirates at home this weekend.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Efficient, impressive in victory
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Williams (2-4) earned the win over Minnesota on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out three batters over six innings.
Though Williams produced only three punchouts, he was very efficient and needed just 73 pitches (49 strikes) to get through six frames. The right-handed hurler kept the Twins off the scoreboard until his final inning, and Cleveland's bullpen was perfect the rest of the way to ensure Williams ended up with the win. This was an excellent bounce-back for the 25-year-old after he gave up six runs across four frames against Baltimore in his previous start. Williams will carry a 4.38 ERA into his next outing, which is tentatively slated to take place in Milwaukee.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Fans nine in defeat
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Williams (0-3) took the loss against Detroit on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over six innings.
Williams completed six frames for the first time since returning from an elbow injury to make his season debut July 20. The right-hander recorded a season-high nine punchouts and registered a quality start, but a Javier Baez three-run homer in the second inning was enough to stick Williams with his third loss. The 25-year-old tossed a season-high 105 pitches Thursday, so he appears to be fully clear of the elbow issue. His next start is projected to be a rematch with the Tigers on the road next week.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Returns from 60-day IL
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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: 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.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Next rehab start set
Rotowire
Williams (elbow) will make his next rehab start Saturday and is expected to throw about four innings and 65 pitches, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Williams covered three frames during his third rehab outing Sunday and will continue building up his workload this weekend. The right-hander could require another start in the minors after that before joining the Guardians, but he should be ready for his season debut in the majors before the end of June.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Resumes throwing
Rotowire
Williams (elbow) resumed throwing Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Williams was cleared by doctors to restart his throwing program Wednesday, and manager Stephen Vogt said the 24-year-old righty was able to get through his throwing session Thursday without any pain. Williams still has a long way to go in his rehab process, but he is certainly trending in the right direction after suffering a setback during a sim game April 20.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Set for sim game Monday
Rotowire
Williams (elbow) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday, MLB.com reports.
Williams is in line to face live hitters for the first time since he felt discomfort in his right elbow after making an awkward throw during a weighted-ball workout in the first or second week of March. Though he wasn't shut down from throwing for long, the elbow issue slowed him down enough to force him to the 15-day injured list to begin the season. Assuming his upcoming sim game goes well, Williams could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment late next week or early during the following week. He could require two rehab starts before being activated and seems to be trending toward a late-April or early May season debut with Cleveland.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Slated for bullpen session
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Williams (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session sometime during the Guardians' April 1-3 series in Seattle, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Williams is making his way back from right elbow inflammation, an injury he suffered in mid-March during a weighted-ball workout. The right-hander should be ready for a rehab assignment soon, although one has not been scheduled yet and it's not clear how many rehab starts he might need before rejoining the Guardians' rotation.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Hits IL with elbow inflammation
Rotowire
The Guardians placed Williams on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation.
Williams suffered the injury just under three weeks ago, when he experienced discomfort in his elbow after taking part in a weighted-ball workout. Though Williams has since resumed throwing, his brief shutdown period after suffering the injury was enough to derail his bid for the Opening Day roster. Williams still looks on track to return at some point in April, as he joined the Guardians for their season-opening road trip and will soon head back to the team's spring facility in Arizona to start throwing bullpen sessions before heading out on a rehab assignment, per MLB.com.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Could resume throwing soon
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Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis said Wednesday that he believes Williams (elbow) will be cleared to resume throwing "soon," Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Willis noted that the Guardians are still in information-gathering mode with their young right-hander's elbow injury, but Williams "continues to improve" and could be ready to throw shortly. Williams hurt his pitching elbow while throwing weighted balls during a workout, but the team hasn't seemed overly concerned about the injury.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Shows well in spring debut
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Williams struck out four and walked one over two hitless innings versus the Angels on Thursday.
Thursday was Williams' Cactus League debut, and it couldn't have gone much better. The right-hander burst into the majors in 2023 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 81:37 K:BB over 82 innings across 16 starts last season. His 4.04 FIP suggests he was a little lucky, but at 24 years old, he's still got room to grow. Williams should be considered a favorite to begin 2024 in the Guardians' rotation.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Not starting again this season
Rotowire
Williams isn't listed as one of the Guardians' three scheduled starting pitchers for the team's season-closing series with the Tigers this weekend, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Williams last pitched Sept. 17, and though the Guardians haven't provided a clear update on his status, the 24-year-old rookie has presumably been dropped from the rotation for workload management reasons now that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention. Since he's still part of the 28-man active roster, Williams could be available out of the bullpen for the final three games of the season, though the Guardians may prefer to stay away from him. If Williams has in fact been shut down, he'll close the campaign with a 3-5 record, 3.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 81:37 K:BB across 82 innings with Cleveland following his June promotion from Triple-A Columbus. Williams should be assured an Opening Day rotation spot in 2024 on the heels of a strong first season in the big leagues.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Fans seven in victory
Rotowire
Williams (3-5) allowed one run on four hits and two walks over six innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Rangers.
Williams gave up a run in the second inning and didn't face any issues the rest of the way as he cruised to a win. He walked four batters in each of his previous two outings but was much more efficient Sunday, tossing 62 of 97 pitches for strikes. Williams owns a 2.50 ERA over his last four appearances, lowering his season ERA to 3.29 through 82 frames. The rookie's next start is currently lined up to be at home against the Orioles.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Earns second win
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Williams (2-5) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and four walks over five innings against the Twins. He struck out four.
Williams struggled a bit with his command Wednesday, issuing a walk in four of his five frames while also allowing a runner to advance to second on a wild pitch. However, the rookie right-hander was still able to get the job done, limiting the Twins to a single hit to help secure his second win of the season. It was a nice bounceback outing for Williams after exiting his previous start with right knee soreness, and it marked his first win since July 8. On the downside, he did match his season high with four walks and has now issued multiple free passes in three of his last four outings.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Allows career-high five earned runs
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Williams (1-5) took the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Dodgers. He struck out five.
The rookie appeared to be in a good rhythm through the first two innings, but things began to unravel for the right-hander in the third beginning with a leadoff double from Enrique Hernandez. Two runs would come across for Los Angeles in the inning and Williams continued to struggle over the next two frames before being replaced by Hunter Gaddis. Williams allowed a career-high five earned runs on the afternoon and failed to make it through five innings for the first time in his last five starts. He's now 0-3 through five August starts, though he does carry a solid 37:9 K:BB over that stretch.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Possible waiver wire pickups
Rotowire
Saturday's start makes it two straight with double-digit strikeouts for Williams, 22 over 12 innings in all. But these outings have a couple more things in common. One is that the control is greatly improved, with just one walk between them. The other, and perhaps more notable, is that the velocity is up, his fastball in particular standing out with an average of 97.1 mph Saturday. It seems to match up with what Williams said following his 12-strikeout gem last time out: "I don't think I was being too fine today." Pitching coach Carl Willis had noted that up to that point, Williams had been nibbling, trying to avoid the sweet spot rather than going after hitters. It's a cliche for young pitchers, but it's understandable on a human level. He was pitching not to fail rather than to succeed. Now that we know what the latter looks like, watch out.
