McKenzie agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McKenzie spent the first half of 2024 with the Guardians, posting a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 75.2 innings (16 starts). He continued to struggle to the tune of a 5.23 ERA after being demoted to Triple-A Columbus in June. Despite his poor performance, the 27-year-old righty will receive a $350,000 raise in 2025, but he should remain off fantasy managers' radar until he's able to regain command over his pitches.

The Guardians optioned McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Through the first three months of the 2024 season, the historically injury prone McKenzie has enjoyed a clean bill of health, but he's performed well below expectations for both the Guardians and fantasy managers alike. After failing to escape the third inning while giving up five earned runs in his most recent start Friday in Kansas City, McKenzie now holds a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 75.2 innings on the season. The Guardians will send the right-hander to the minors with the hope that he'll be able to return to form and eventually slot back into the big-league rotation. Gavin Williams (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and will fill McKenzie's spot in the rotation during the upcoming week.

McKenzie (3-5) took the loss Friday in Kansas City, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings with three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The Cleveland right-hander closed out a tough month with this performance, failing to pitch past the third inning for the third consecutive start. Over five June starts, McKenzie posted a 9.33 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and 19:15 K:BB across 18.1 innings. The 26-year-old is currently scheduled to face the White Sox at home in his next outing.

McKenzie tossed three innings, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out six batters in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Blue Jays. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

McKenzie was challenged early versus Toronto, giving up a two-run home run to Vladimir Guerrero in the top of the first inning. He later gave up a leadoff homer to Spencer Horwitz in the third, which was ultimately his final inning on the mound. McKenzie failed to pitch past the third inning for the second consecutive start Sunday, throwing just 41 of his 74 total pitches for strikes, while the four walks matched his total from his loss Tuesday versus Seattle. The 26-year-old will look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively set to come Friday on the road against the Royals.

McKenzie (3-4) took the loss Tuesday against Seattle, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks over 2.1 innings without recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

After holding the Mariners scoreless through his first two innings, McKenzie allowed five of the first six batters to reach safely in the third, ultimately allowing four runs before the Guardians turned to the bullpen. The 26-year-old McKenzie has struggled of late -- he hasn't made it through six innings in five straight starts, posting a 7.04 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA is up to 4.48 on the season with a 1.46 WHIP and 65:42 K:BB across 70.1 innings. He'll look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled for this weekend at home versus Toronto.

McKenzie (3-3) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander got a quick hook after 75 pitches (43 strikes) with the Guardians ahead 3-2, but the bullpen and offense were able to secure McKenzie's first win since April 19. He's failed to complete six innings in any of his last four trips to the mound, but on the bright side, he kept the ball in the yard Tuesday after serving up eight homers over his three prior outings. McKenzie will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 65:38 K:BB through 68 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.

McKenzie came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Royals, surrendering five runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

He was taken deep twice by Bobby Witt and once by Hunter Renfroe as McKenzie dug a 5-0 hole through four innings, but the Guardians were able to climb out of it. The right-hander's suddenly having trouble keeping the ball in the park -- after serving up only six homers over his first nine starts of the season, McKenzie's coughed up multiple long balls in three straight outings and has a 7.04 ERA over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend in Miami.

McKenzie gave up four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out nine over five innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kris Bryant and Elehuris Montero each tagged McKenzie for a two-run home run. Despite those homers, McKenzie left the game in line for the win before the Guardians' bullpen faltered in the sixth inning. The right-hander had limited opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last seven outings before his step back Tuesday. McKenzie is at a 3.77 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 54:34 K:BB over 57.1 innings across 11 starts. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Royals in a tough divisional matchup.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

McKenzie didn't appear to have his best stuff Wednesday, as he'd allow three solo homers before departing with a 3-0 deficit in the sixth inning. However, the Guardians would rally for six unanswered runs in an eventual victory, sparing McKenzie the loss. Still, it's the first time in seven starts that McKenzie's allowed more than two earned runs -- he came into the day with a 2.10 ERA over his prior six outings. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander sports a 3.44 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:31 K:BB over 10 starts (52.1 innings) this season. McKenzie's next start is currently lined up for early next week against the Rockies in Colorado.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision Friday against the Twins, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

McKenzie posted his second consecutive quality start with the effort Friday. The Cleveland right-hander has tossed six straight starts allowing two or fewer runs while generating five or more strikeouts, producing a 2.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 35:19 K:BB in 34 innings over that time. McKenzie is scheduled to face the Mets at home in his next outing.