Gavin Williams returns as Guardians host White Sox
Gavin Williams is finally set to return to a major league mound — and potentially help the Cleveland Guardians extend their latest run of home success.
Meanwhile, the lowly Chicago White Sox continue to look for anything positive amid their dismal campaign.
Williams makes his anticipated season debut as the Guardians eye a seventh straight home victory when they meet the White Sox on Wednesday in the middle game of a three-game series.
Following an impressive 2023 rookie season, when Williams posted a 3.29 ERA and struck out 81 over 82 innings spanning 16 starts, the right-hander was expected to be a key part of Cleveland’s 2024 rotation. Then he strained his right elbow during spring training, and his season was delayed.
Now, after a solid rehab assignment in the minors, Williams is ready to help a Guardians rotation that lost ace Shane Bieber for the season, just sent veteran Triston McKenzie down to Triple-A Columbus to work out his own issues and ranks near the bottom of the American League with a 4.42 ERA.
“(Williams has) built up his pitch volume, which was the most important thing,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. “Probably the most encouraging thing is he bounced back better and better each time.”
Williams went 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 17 innings over five starts for Columbus and one for Double-A Akron.
Facing Chicago for the first time, Williams could be monitored closely upon his major league return. However, the Guardians hope he provides some stability for one of the club’s weaker points.
“We think he’s at a point now where he’s able to help us win games at the major league level,” Antonetti added.
The Guardians improved to an AL-best 53-30 with a 7-6 win on Tuesday in the series opener. Tyler Freeman and rookie Daniel Schneemann each hit a two-run homer for Cleveland, which overcame blowing two multi-run leads to improve to 27-9 at home. The Guardians have totaled 40 runs during their six-game home winning streak.
