The Los Angeles Angels have optioned right-hander Zach Plesac to the minors. The former Cleveland Guardians starter entered camp as a rotation candidate or even a long reliever but it appears his 2024 campaign will begin with Triple-A Salt Lake. It's been a rather unfortunate fall from grace for the 29-year-old who impressed with a 3.81 ERA across 21 starts as a rookie in the 2019 season. He went on to post a tidy 2.28 ERA in eight starts during the shortened 2020 season but has struggled since. Most recently, he worked to a 7.59 ERA across five starts with the Guardians in the 2023 season and struggled mightily to a 6.08 ERA across 19 outings (18 starts) with Triple-A Columbus. Plesac remains well off the fantasy radar as he looks to regain his form in the minors to begin the 2024 season.

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said that right-hander Zach Plesac will open spring training as a candidate for the starting rotation. However, Plesac could still wind up in the bullpen or even in the minors to kick off the 2024 regular season. The top five Angels starters heading into camp are left-handers Patrick Sandoval, Tyler Anderson and Reid Detmers and right-handers Griffin Canning and Chase Silseth. Plesac, 29, is probably going to need an injury to one of the aforementioned starters in order to open the year in the Halos' rotation. After looking decent with the Cleveland Guardians in 2019 and 2020, he has struggled each of the last three years, going a combined 14-19 with a 4.72 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 77 walks and 214 K's in 295 2/3 frames over 55 outings (54 starts).

The Los Angeles Angels signed free-agent right-hander Zach Plesac to an undisclosed deal over the weekend. Plesac made his big-league debut with the Cleveland Guardians in 2019 and had a career-best 2.28 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 57 strikeouts in eight starts in the shortened 2020 season. He wasn't as good in 2021 and 2022 before stumbling to a 7.59 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.97 WHIP with five walks and 14 strikeouts in five starts this past season. The 28-year-old wasn't much better in the minors, persuading the Guardians to move on from him. The Angels can use all the pitching help they can get, but it's unlikely that Plesac will be much more than a long-relief arm or spot starter if he makes the major-league roster out of spring training.

Former Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Zach Plesac has elected free agency. The 28-year-old righty was designated for assignment back in June and will now hit the open market this winter. He put up a poor 7.59 ERA, 1.969 WHIP, and 14:5 K/BB ratio over 21 1/3 innings (five starts) during the 2023 campaign. At one point, he looked like an up-and-coming star back when he put up a sparkling 2.28. ERA and 0.795 WHIP over 55 1/3 innings (eight starts) during the shortened 2020 season but it's been downhill from there. He should be able to earn another opportunity this offseason based on his pedigree.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Zach Plesac was designated for assignment by the team's front office on Sunday. The 28-year-old became especially expendable with Triston McKenzie's return plus the integration of a number of top prospects into Cleveland's rotation this year. Plesac looked like an ace in the making during a breakout 2020, notching a 2.28 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 55 1/3 innings during the truncated campaign. The right-hander has a suppressed 4.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 153 innings since 2022. Plesac might latch on to a pitcher-needy club soon, but his redraft fantasy value is virtually nonexistent currently.

The Cleveland Guardians officially optioned right-hander Zach Plesac to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday. Rookie right-hander Peyton Battenfield is expected to start on Friday against the Minnesota Twins in Plesac's rotation spot. Plesac had a rough 7.59 ERA in five starts this year, and opponents were posting a .374/.404/.576 slash line against him. The 28-year-old will go down to the farm to work some things out before Cleveland considers giving him another shot in the big-league rotation. Battenfield, 25, moved to the bullpen recently to make room for prospects Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee in the rotation, but he'll get another chance to impress the team in a starting spot. In his first four big-league outings (three starts), Battenfield has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 16 hits (three homers) while walking 11 and striking out 14 in 17 1/3 frames.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Zach Plesac (hand) will switch spots with Aaron Civale in the starting rotation this week and be moved back to Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, with Civale going on Friday. Plesac will then potentially move to a relief role for the postseason. Civale will make his final start of the regular season next Wednesday. The 27-year-old Plesac will be coming off the injured list to start this weekend. He'll return to a 3-11 record, 4.39 ERA (4.49 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP, 99 strikeouts and 37 walks in 127 innings pitched over his 23 starts in 2022.

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Zach Plesac (hand) is tentatively scheduled to start Friday against the Kansas City Royals. He was placed on the injured list on September 2 with a fractured right hand. The 27-year-old threw 45 pitches during a simulated game on Tuesday. He has gone 3-11 with a 4.39 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 99 K's in 127 innings (23 starts). Plesac will most likely be on a pitch count, making him hard for fantasy managers to trust even if he does make his start on Friday. Managers should wait to see how Plesac pitches on Friday before inserting him into their lineups.

The Cleveland Guardians placed starting pitchers Zach Plesac (hand) and Aaron Civale (forearm) on the injured list on Friday and added Xzavion Curry and Kirk McCarty to the active roster in corresponding moves. Plesac was scratched from his start on Friday against the Seattle Mariners with a right hand fracture, while Civale is dealing with right forearm inflammation. Pitching prospect Cody Morris will make his major league debut on Friday against Seattle and will be a risky streamer for fantasy managers. There's a chance that both Plesac and Civale won't pitch for the Guardians again in 2022. Plesac has gone 3-11 with a 4.39 ERA (4.50 FIP), 1.31 WHIP and 99 K's in 127 innings (23 starts). Civale has a 5.40 ERA (3.94 FIP), 1.31 WHIP and 75 strikeouts in 75 innings (16 starts).

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Zach Plesac is on the radar of the Philadelphia Phillies, who are seeking a starter, a center fielder and presumably help for their bullpen with Tuesday's trade deadline looming. The New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners are other contending teams looking for rotation help. Plesac is currently 2-8 this year with a 4.09 ERA (4.18 FIP) and a 1.26 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 26 walks in 99 innings over 18 starts. The 27-year-old right-handed has struggled in four July starts, allowing 11 earned runs on 22 hits while walking six and fanning 15 in 19 2/3 frames.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Zach Plesac couldn't make it out of the fourth inning Friday, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and no walks in 3 2/3 frames. He struck out three batters and allowed a home run to Riley Greene of the Tigers in a 6-5 victory. Plesac received very little help from his defense in this one, as a Jose Ramirez error contributed to the end of the outing. Plesac has been serviceable over his last seven starts, with a 3.03 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in that span, but his lack of strikeout upside makes him no more than a streamer even in the best of circumstances. He has a 4.02 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 68 strikeouts in 94 innings this year.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Zach Plesac pitched well in a 7-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday. Plesac allowed one run over six innings of work while striking out five and walking none in the outing. His only mistake in the contest was a solo homer to Emmanuel Rivera in the third inning. Plesac needed an outing like Monday's as he struggled in his previous start, allowing seven runs over 4 2/3 innings. He now has a 1-4 record, 4.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts over 49 1/3 innings of work in 2022. Plesac is lined up to face the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac struck out seven Kansas City Royals over seven innings of work while allowing two hits and no earned runs in a 7-2 victory Tuesday night. This was Plesac's best start since the beginning of May and helped him earn his ninth win of the season. That being said, he is still a risky option for fantasy teams in the playoffs and draws a tough matchup at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac allowed two earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four across 5 2/3 innings pitched in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Texas Rangers. Plesac was not sharp in this one despite earning the win and now has a 6.33 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in August through five starts. He should only be streamed in solid matchups moving forward and next week's start against the Kansas City Royals should hopefully be one of those.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac allowed two earned runs while striking out nine across 7 2/3 innings pitched in a 7-4 win over the Detroit Tigers Friday night. Plesac earned the win in this one to move to 7-4 on the season and it was nice to see him rebound after allowing four earned runs or more in three of his previous four starts. He will carry a 4.64 ERA into his next start against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac only lasted four innings while allowing four earned runs on two hits and four walks while striking out six in a 7-5 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. Plesac has now allowed 10 earned runs in his previous nine innings pitched and has pushed his ERA up to 4.84. He should not be trusted moving forward except as a streaming option in easier matchups. His next start will come over the weekend against these same Tigers.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac allowed six earned runs on 10 hits across five innings pitched in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. It was Plesac's worst outing since coming off the IL on July 8th. He now has a 4.64 ERA on the season with just 52 strikeouts across 85 1/3 innings pitched. While he had plenty of hype heading into 2021, expectations should be tempered moving forward and he should only be used as a streaming option for the remainder of the season.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Judge went from being a late scratch to hitting a tiebreaking single in a two-run 10th inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, 3-1 on Wednesday night. Judge was taken out of the lineup about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Although no announcement was made about why, the All-Star right fielder struck out in the fifth pinch-hitting for Estevan Florial. Judge returned to the team Tuesday after going on the COVID-19 injured list July 16. New York also had a big night off the field. The Yankees reached a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been announced and was subject to approval of medical records of the players involved. Greg Allen was hit by a pitch from Pete Fairbanks (3-4) leading off the 10th, putting runners on first and second. Judge... [More]