The Guardians optioned Nikhazy to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Nikhazy was up as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader versus the Red Sox and struggled in a spot start in his major-league debut, allowing six runs over three innings while taking a loss. The left-hander will now rejoin the rotation at Columbus.

Nikhazy (0-1) took the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, coughing up six runs on five hits and six walks over three innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Making his MLB debut, Nikhazy managed to toss only 50 of his 90 pitches for strikes before getting a merciful hook. The 25-year-old southpaw was making a spot start due to the twin bill, and while he's had some early success at Triple-A Columbus (3.44 ERA, 22:7 K:BB in 18.1 innings) this year, Saturday's performance won't encourage Cleveland to rush him back to the majors the next time the team needs rotation depth.

The Guardians added Nikhazy to the active roster to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against Boston, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nikhazy will be making his MLB debut while he starts in the nightcap. The 25-year-old posted a 3.44 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 18.1 innings during his four starts in Triple-A, and he'll be welcomed to the majors by a Red Sox offense that currently owns the third-highest OPS (.721) in the American League.

The Guardians plan to recall Nikhazy from Triple-A Columbus to have him start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Red Sox, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

EDGE Analysis

After optioning reliever Zak Kent to Triple-A, Cleveland initially planed to call up Nikhazy on Friday to fill the open spot in its bullpen. However, after Friday's series opener was postponed, Nikhazy's call-up will instead be pushed back a day, and he'll now be in line to start in his MLB debut due to the doubleheader creating a stretch of six games in five days for the Guardians. The 25-year-old lefty had excelled through his first four starts with Columbus this season, logging a 3.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB in 18.1 innings. Cleveland doesn't appear to have a permanent opening in the rotation for Nikhazy, so he could shift to the bullpen or head back to Triple-A following his start Saturday.

The Guardians are promoting Nikhazy from Triple-A Columbus on Friday before they start their three games series versus the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Nikhazy didn't make the cut for the major league club after he got off to a bad spring training in which he surrendered seven earned runs across 8.2 innings of work. Through four games with Triple-A Columbus to begin the season, he's posted a 3.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 22:7 K:BB in 18.1 innings. While he has been largely used as a starter through his MiLB career, he will be used out of the pen in Cleveland. A corresponding move is yet to be announced.

The Guardians optioned Nikhazy to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nikhazy wasn't very effective this spring, giving up seven earned runs on five hits and six walks, though he impressively struck out 12 batters in 8.2 innings. He'll look to get back on track with Columbus, and he could be a candidate to debut at some point this year after posting a 2.87 ERA in Triple-A last season.

Nikhazy could make the Guardians bullpen out of spring training, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nikhazy is already on the 40-man roster and has gotten off to a great start to Cactus League play, throwing four hitless innings with four strikeouts across two relief appearances. Pitching coach Carl Willis said Sunday that Nikhazy would make the club's bullpen, not the rotation, if he were to win a job. Nikhazy is a starter by trade and had a strong 2024 season, logging a 2.98 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 124:53 K:BB in 123.2 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. He is working on improving his control and could be a multi-inning relief option early in the year if the club's starters aren't all ready to go five-plus innings consistently.