Uncertain to pitch in 2024Karinchak (shoulder) has been working out at Cleveland’s spring training facility in Arizona, but the Guardians are uncertain if he’ll be able to pitch for the big club at any poin…
Impact With a 3.10 ERA and 22.2 K-BB% over 174 career relief appearances over parts of five seasons in the majors, Karinchak has often been a dominant bullpen arm for the Guardians when available, but shoulder problems cost him a large chunk of the 2022 campaign and cropped up again in spring training. Though the Guardians have classified his injury as fatigue rather than something more severe, Karinchak has made minimal progress since being cleared to resume a throwing program March 11. According to the report, the quality and shape of Karinchak’s pitches haven’t looked like they have in the past, and the Guardians have thus far been unwilling to send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Karinchak will continue to work with the Cleveland staff in Arizona with the hope of regaining form.
Injured Guardians reliever will travel with team to Atlanta and TexasJames Karinchak is on the injured list, but will travel with Cleveland when it starts a six-game trip in Atlanta on Friday.
Initiates throwing programKarinchak (shoulder) has been cleared to begin a throwing progression Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Impact Karinchak had been shut down from throwing all spring after he had been experiencing right shoulder fatigue prior to reporting to camp. Since he’s projected to serve as a one-inning reliever for Cleveland once healthy, Karinchak won’t require as extensive of a ramp-up program as a starting pitcher, but with Opening Day approximately two and a half weeks away, the right-hander may not be ready to go by the time the Guardians open the regular season. Provided that he navigates his throwing program free of setbacks, Karinchak should be in store for only a brief stint on the IL to begin the season if the Guardians opt not to include him on the Opening Day roster.
Guardians Provide Injury Update On James KarinchakStephen Vogt reveals that Cleveland Guardians pitcher James Karinchak is still rehabbing a shoulder injury.
FEBRUARY 27•KANSASCITY.COM
Guardians’ James Karinchak ‘Doing Really Well’ With Shoulder Injury ProgressionStephen Vogt says the Cleveland Guardians pitcher James Karinchak “is doing really well” after starting spring training with shoulder fatigu…
FEBRUARY 19•NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Agrees to terms for 2024Karinchak signed a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Impact Karinchak walked 28 batters across 39 innings in 2023, but he still managed a solid 3.23 ERA with 52 strikeouts. While Emmanuel Clase is almost certainly locked into the closer role in Cleveland, Karinchak could be a decent source of holds.
JANUARY 12•ROTOWIRE
Dealt fifth lossKarinchak (2-5) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Reds.
Impact Karinchak had posted 3.2 scoreless innings over his first four appearances back in the majors before faltering in the fifth inning Tuesday. The right-hander is now at a 3.29 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:25 K:BB with 13 holds and two blown saves over 38.1 innings this season. Karinchak is mostly seeing low-leverage work to finish the campaign.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Returns to majorsKarinchak was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Impact Karinchak holds a 3.44 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 34 innings with the Guardians this season, although he’s also walked 23 batters. He’ll probably be used in middle relief.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Guardians add Lucas Giolito to 28-man roster, option James Karinchak to Triple-AThe Guardians claimed Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore on waivers from the Angels on Thursday.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2023•CLEVELAND.COM
Optioned to Triple-AKarinchak was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Impact Lucas Giolito will take Karinchak’s place on the active roster. Karinchak had a 1.42 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings over six appearances since being recalled Aug. 18.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Guardians Bring James Karinchak Back To Major League RosterThe Cleveland Guardians recall right-handed pitcher James Karinchak from Triple-A.
AUGUST 18, 2023•NEWSOBSERVER.COM
To be recalled FridayKarinchak is expected to be recalled Friday from Triple-A Columbus, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Impact Karinchak has struggled to a 5.12 ERA in 19.1 innings at the Triple-A level since the Guardians demoted him in early June, but he’s needed as a replacement for Michael Kelly (back), who will head to the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.
AUGUST 17, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Optioned to Triple-AKarinchak was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Impact Karinchak’s 32 appearances are tied for the league lead, and while he hasn’t been as dominant this season, his 3.90 ERA is still a solid mark. He does have a career-high 16.1 percent walk rate, however, and while his 32.2 percent strikeout rate would be high for most pitchers, it’s a career low in his case. His demotion may not be performance-related, however, as the Guardians may simply be looking to bring in some fresh arms. Karinchak has options remaining and has pitched on five of the last seven days, so he was unlikely to be an option for the next game or two. Tim Herrin was called up to take his place in the bullpen.
JUNE 11, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Guardians demote erratic reliever James Karinchak to minorsThe Guardians optioned struggling reliever James Karinchak to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday after his latest erratic outing.
JUNE 10, 2023•BEACONJOURNAL.COM
Guardians option reliever James Karinchak to minors after latest ineffective outing
Cleveland Guardians reliever James Karinchak has been optioned to the minor leagues following his latest ineffective outing
JUNE 10, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guardians Option James Karinchak In Roster Move, Call Up Tim HerrinThe Cleveland Guardians send James Karinchak to Triple-A Columbus.
JUNE 10, 2023•NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Guardians Option James Karinchak In Roster Move, Call Up Tim HerrinThe Cleveland Guardians send James Karinchak to Triple-A Columbus.
JUNE 10, 2023•SACBEE.COM
Picks up winKarinchak (2-4) earned the win over the Twins on Sunday after tossing a scoreless sixth inning. He allowed a hit and struck out two.
Impact Karinchak was the first name called out of the bullpen after Triston McKenzie’s day was done following five dominant frames. He allowed a leadoff single but was able to get through the inning unscathed. The 29-year-old has not allowed a run over his last seven outings and has picked up two holds and a win over that span. For the year, Karinchak owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 36:16 K:BB and has 11 holds over 25.2 innings.
JUNE 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE
While James Karinchak has struggled, Enyel De Los Santos and Xzavion Curry have stepped upThe back end of the Guardians bullpen hasn’t been quite as rock solid as in the past, though others have stepped into larger roles.
MAY 30, 2023•BEACONJOURNAL.COM
On the mound and in the mind of Guardians’ high-intensity reliever James KarinchakGuardians’ James Karinchak talks pitch-clock, ball-flipping, page turning and Batman.
MAY 25, 2023•CLEVELAND.COM
Snags first winKarinchak (1-4) retired the only batter he faced to earn the win Sunday over the Angels.
Impact The Angels tied the game at 1-1 in the eighth inning when Gio Urshela hit into a fielder’s choice against Tanner Bibee. Karinchak then stepped in and got Mike Trout to fly out as a pinch hitter to end the inning before Cleveland pulled ahead for good on Josh Naylor’s three-run home run in the bottom half of the frame. Karinchak has strung together five scoreless appearances spanning 3.1 innings. It’s been a rocky start to 2023 for the right-handed reliever, who has a 4.82 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB with nine holds and a blown save over 18.2 innings.
MAY 15, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Guardians’ bullpen so far hasn’t saved the day like last season: CrowquillEmmanuel Clase and James Karinchak haven’t yet thrown their best.
MAY 7, 2023•CLEVELAND.COM
Handed fourth lossKarinchak (0-4) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in 1.1 innings, taking the loss and a blown save Tuesday versus the Yankees.
Impact Karinchak relieved starter Tanner Bibee with one out in the sixth inning and promptly allowed an inherited runner to score on Anthony Rizzo’s single. Willie Calhoun added a one-out solo home run in the seventh, putting the Yankees ahead and saddling Karinchak with his fourth loss in 16 appearances. The right-handed reliever has given up six runs over 7.1 innings in his last seven appearances, and he now has a poor 5.87 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB through 15.1 innings overall. To make matters worse, Karinchak’s got a 6.89 FIP and .212 BABIP, which suggests that he’s not a victim of bad luck here. He may be at risk of losing a high-leverage role once Sam Hentges (shoulder) is ready to return.
MAY 3, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Tigers deal James Karinchak and the Guardians a 4-3 defeat with walk-off home run.
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