Karinchak (0-1) allowed three runs on a hit, a walk and a hit batsman in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Thursday versus the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak was rattled early by a pitch-clock violation, and he then plunked Kolten Wong before Ty France took him deep in the eighth inning. After an uneven spring that saw Karinchak post a 12:5 K:BB and a 4.66 ERA over 9.2 innings, it's a little concerning to see him struggle in a high-leverage situation. The right-hander had a 2.08 ERA over 39 innings last season, but he also carried a 4.8 BB/9, which is something he'll need to get in check to continue to have success as a setup man. With the Guardians locking up Trevor Stephan on a four-year deal Wednesday, Karinchak's place as a setup man is far from guaranteed.

Karinchak struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Tuesday's Cactus League loss to the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak has covered 7.1 innings this spring, though he's allowed five home runs, five hits and five walks with nine strikeouts. There shouldn't be too much concern for his performance this spring, as long as he can leave his uneven pitching in Arizona when the Guardians begin the campaign. Karinchak should serve in a high-leverage role as a setup man to Emmanuel Clase.

Karinchak allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts over one inning in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak enters 2023 after a sharp second half of the 2022 season. After recovering from a shoulder injury, the right-hander logged a 2.08 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, three saves, eight holds and 62 strikeouts over 39 innings. He is poised to again serve as a setup man to closer Emmanuel Clase, though Karinchak will need to clean up his early spring struggles to avoid losing his grip on a high-leverage role.

Karinchak (2-0) struck out the side to earn the extra-inning win over the Rays on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak needed 15 pitches (10 strikes) to keep the game tied at 1-1 in the 10th inning, and Amed Rosario delivered a walkoff single in the bottom half of the frame. Over his last six innings, Karinchak has a 9:1 K:BB and he's allowed only two hits without surrendering a run. The righty owns a 1.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB with three saves, eight holds and a blown save through 37.1 innings this year.

Karinchak allowed one hit and struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak was called upon to protect a two-run lead and did so successfully to earn his third save of the season. He won't see save opportunities regularly going forward, but Emmanuel Clase had worked two consecutive days and was likely unavailable. Karinchak owns an impressive 1.47 ERA and 49:18 K:BB across 30.2 innings for the season.

Karinchak picked up the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Twins. He struck out three in one scoreless inning with two walks and no hits allowed.

EDGE Analysis

With Emmanuel Clase unavailable after recording the save in each of the previous two games, Karinchak stepped in and shut the door for his second save. The 26-year-old allowed two runners to reach base via the walk, but he struck out the other three batters he faced, giving him 47 punchouts in just 28.2 innings. Karinchak owns a strong 1.57 ERA to go along with a 1.15 WHIP on the season.

Karinchak struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Regular closer Emmanuel Clase had pitched three straight days, so he was presumably unavailable Tuesday. Karinchak stepped up and needed just 12 pitches (eight strikes) to deliver his first save of the season. He had a rough return to the majors with three runs allowed in his first two appearances, but Karinchak has since rattled off a 24-inning scoreless streak with a save, four holds and a win in his last 22 outings. For the year, he has a 1.04 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB through 26 innings while reclaiming a setup role in a strong Guardians bullpen.

Karinchak was reinstated from the restricted list Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak will return to the team after missing the three-game series versus the Blue Jays while on the restricted list. The reliever has produced a 1.72 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 28 strikeouts over 15.2 innings in 14 appearances since joining the big-league roster July 3.

Karinchak was placed on the restricted list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak is unvaccinated and will be unable to travel with the Guardians for their weekend series in Toronto. The right-hander should rejoin the team ahead of Monday's series opener against the Tigers, while Peyton Battenfield's contract was selected to provide additional bullpen depth this weekend.

Karinchak struck out four in 1.2 perfect innings during Monday's 3-1 loss to the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak gave up three runs in his first two innings this season, but he's since settled down with 6.2 consecutive scoreless frames. Overall, he's pitched to a 3.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 8.2 innings, though he's pitched in a low-leverage role. The dominance of Emmanuel Clase essentially rules out any chance of closing duties, but continued success could earn Karinchak more of a look as a setup man later in the year.