Gavin Williams Injury News & Updates

Williams isn't listed as one of the Guardians' three scheduled starting pitchers for the team's season-closing series with the Tigers this weekend, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Williams last pitched Sept. 17, and though the Guardians haven't provided a clear update on his status, the 24-year-old rookie has presumably been dropped from the rotation for workload management reasons now that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention. Since he's still part of the 28-man active roster, Williams could be available out of the bullpen for the final three games of the season, though the Guardians may prefer to stay away from him. If Williams has in fact been shut down, he'll close the campaign with a 3-5 record, 3.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 81:37 K:BB across 82 innings with Cleveland following his June promotion from Triple-A Columbus. Williams should be assured an Opening Day rotation spot in 2024 on the heels of a strong first season in the big leagues.

Williams (3-5) allowed one run on four hits and two walks over six innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Rangers.

Williams gave up a run in the second inning and didn't face any issues the rest of the way as he cruised to a win. He walked four batters in each of his last two outings but was much more efficient Sunday, tossing 62 of 97 pitches for strikes. Williams owns a 2.50 ERA over his last four appearances, lowering his season ERA to 3.29 through 82 frames. The rookie's next start is currently lined up to be at home against the Orioles.

Williams allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out two over six innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Monday.

Williams gave up a solo home run to Mike Yastrzemski on his second pitch, but he was able to settle in. Williams found more trouble in the third inning and was a bit wild with four walks, matching his season high for the fifth time. The rookie right-hander has given up four runs across his last 12 innings over three appearances. He's now at a 3.43 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 74:35 K:BB through 76 innings through 15 starts overall. Williams is projected for a home start versus the Rangers over the weekend.

Williams (2-5) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and four walks over five innings against the Twins. He struck out four.

Williams struggled a bit with his command Wednesday, issuing a walk in four of his five innings of work while also allowing a runner to advance to second on a wild pitch. However, the rookie right-hander was still able to get the job done, limiting the Twins to one hit over that stretch to help secure his second win of the season. It was a nice bounceback outing for Williams after exiting his previous start with right knee soreness and it marked his first win since July 8. On the downside, he did match his season high with four walks and he's now issued multiple free passes in three of his last four starts.

Williams was removed from his start Tuesday against the Twins due to right knee soreness, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Williams was pulled after falling down on an awkward delivery during the first inning. There's been no word on the severity of Williams' injury, but the Guardians will likely provide more information in the near future. The 24-year-old holds a 3.52 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 64 innings in the majors this season.

Williams (1-5) took the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Dodgers. He struck out five.

Williams appeared to be in a good rhythm through the first two innings, but things began to unravel for the right-hander in the third, beginning with a leadoff double from Enrique Hernandez to open the frame. Two runs would come across for Los Angeles in the inning and the rookie would continue to struggle over the next two frames before being replaced by Hunter Gaddis. Williams allowed a career-high five earned runs on the afternoon and failed to make it through five innings for the first time in his last five starts. He's now 0-3 through five August starts, though he does carry a solid 37:9 K:BB over that stretch.

Williams (1-4) took the loss Friday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Tigers, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The rookie right-hander rebounded well after getting tagged for three runs in the first inning, eventually generating 31 called or swinging strikes among his 90 pitches, but the Guardians were never able to close the gap. It's the first time Williams has allowed more than two runs in an outing since his final start before the All-Star break, and he's posted a 2.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 35 innings in the second half. He'll look for a better result in his next start, a home matchup next week against the Dodgers.

Williams did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on five hits over five innings against the Rays. He struck out 10.

Williams allowed four baserunners over the first three frames but managed to avoid any damage until the bottom of the fourth when he hung a curveball in the middle of the zone, which Luke Raley sent over the wall in center field to tie the game at 1-1. Aside from that hiccup, the rookie right-hander continued to look like a future ace Saturday, racking up double-digit strikeouts for the second straight outing while not issuing a walk for the first time in 10 starts this season. Williams now holds a 1.59 ERA to go along with a 28:5 K:BB through three August starts.

Williams pitched seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against Toronto on Monday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out 12 batters.

The rookie looked every bit like a future ace in a masterful performance that included a career-best 12 punchouts. Williams allowed just one base knock -- a first-inning Vladimir Guerrero Jr. double -- and retired the final nine batters he faced. Remarkably, this was the second seven-inning, one-hit, scoreless performance in Williams' first nine MLB outings (the other came in his second career start). Perhaps just as remarkably, he's had to settle for a no-decision in each instance, as Cleveland's offense has tallied a grand total of three runs over those two starts. Williams has just one win to his ledger thus far, but he's holding his own in the big leagues with a 2.90 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 49:22 K:BB through 49.2 innings.

Williams (1-3) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over five innings against the Astros. He struck out six.

Though Williams only allowed two runs he fell to his third loss of 2023 after Framber no-hit the Guardians. The rookie has allowed two or fewer runs in four straight starts but hasn't gone deeper than five innings in any of the outings. Williams' lack of depth is primarily due to poor command, as he's walked four batters in three of his last four appearances. Williams is expected to face off against the Blue Jays for his next start.

Williams did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three hits and two walks over four scoreless innings in an 8-3 win over Kansas City. He struck out five.

It's the second straight start that an elevated pitch count forced Williams out after four innings, despite limited damage against him. The rookie threw 87 pitches Wednesday, 56 for strikes, despite only issuing two walks. Williams is 1-2 this season with a 3.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB through seven starts (37.2 innings) this season. He'll look to provide more length in his next start, currently scheduled for next week in Houston.

Williams didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Phillies, allowing one run on five hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out three.

The rookie right-hander got handed an early lead but couldn't pitch efficiently enough to qualify for the win, getting the hook after 81 pitches (42 strikes). Williams has issued eight free passes in nine innings over two starts since the All-Star break, a disturbing trend after he walked seven in 24.2 innings over his first four big-league outings, but his spot in the Guardians' injury-depleted rotation should be secure for now. He'll look for a better result in his next start, likely to come at home next week against the Royals.

Williams (1-2) took the loss Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over five innings against the Rangers. He struck out four.

Williams got himself into trouble right away, surrendering a leadoff single to Marcus Semien in the bottom of the first, followed by a double to Corey Seager and a walk to Nathaniel Lowe. The rookie right-hander managed to escape the inning with only one run allowed before once again allowing hits to each of the first two batters in the second, leading to the Rangers' second run of the afternoon. Williams was able to settle in over the next three innings, retiring nine of the 10 hitters he faced over that stretch, though the Guardians would fail to back him with any run support as he went on to take his second loss of the season. He's now allowed at least two runs in each of his last three starts, though he's also managed to go at least five innings in all five of his starts to begin his rookie campaign.

Williams (1-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Royals. He struck out seven.

Just one start after logging his first MLB loss, Williams came out on the winning side of Saturday's tilt and fell one out shy of recording a quality start. He set a season high in strikeouts with seven and bounced back from a poor start against Atlanta where he logged two strikeouts and allowed three homers. Through four starts (24.2 innings), Williams owns a 4.01 ERA and a 19:7 K:BB and has allowed three or more runs in all but one start.

Williams (0-1) took the loss against Atlanta on Monday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 6.1 innings.

Williams had given up just one long ball over his first two MLB starts covering 12.2 frames coming into Monday, but he was unable to continue that trend against a powerful Atlanta lineup. Michael Harris II was responsible for two of the homers off the rookie, with Marcell Ozuna launching the third, each of which was a solo shot. Williams still managed to give Cleveland decent length, and he's pitched at least 5.2 innings in each of his three starts so far. While his 12:6 K:BB over 19 frames to this point doesn't jump off the page, Williams has compiled a respectable 3.79 ERA and has pitched well enough to hold down a spot in the Guardians' rotation.

Williams did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one hit and one walk over seven scoreless innings against the Royals. He struck out six.

Williams bounced back from his shaky MLB debut and dominated the Royals. Though he hit a batter and allowed a hit and a walk in the third inning, Williams kept them from crossing the plate and retired 13 straight batters to end the outing. Though his effort didn't result in a win, the start certainly will make for a convincing argument to keep WIlliams in the rotation for at least another go around.

Williams is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday versus the Royals in Kansas City.

As anticipated, Williams will be sticking around for another turn through the rotation after he made his highly anticipated MLB debut this past Wednesday against the Athletics. Though he fell short of a quality start in the outing, he acquitted himself well enough by striking out four over 5.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on four hits and three walks. Cleveland will have some tough decisions to make with its rotation when Cal Quantrill (shoulder) returns from the 15-day injured list, but the Guardians should be willing to make room for Williams as long as his performance warrants sticking around with the big club.

Williams allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Oakland on Wednesday.

Williams had an up-and-down outing in his first appearance in the majors, beginning with two scoreless frames before surrendering four runs in the third. He bounced back to retire eight of the final nine batters he faced before being pulled with two outs in the sixth. Williams induced a moderate seven swinging strikes and fanned just four batters in the outing, which is mildly disappointing given his 11.7 K/9 in the minors this season. Nonetheless, he acquitted himself well enough to likely get another turn in the rotation with Triston McKenzie (elbow) out multiple weeks and Cal Quantrill (shoulder) not expected to begin a rehab assignment until Friday.

The Guardians selected Williams' contract from Triple-A Columbus ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Athletics.

Like Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen did before him this season, Williams will make the jump from the Triple-A rotation to the big-league pitching staff, though the 23-year-old right-hander arrives with even more fanfare than those other two prospects. Williams had established himself as one of the top pitchers in all of minor-league baseball in 2023 between stops at Columbus and Double-A Akron, accruing a 2.39 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 81:24 K:BB in 60.1 innings. The Guardians will be cognizant of managing Williams' workload as the season unfolds, but with a strong showing Wednesday, he should have a good chance at making multiple turns through the rotation even if Cleveland gets Cal Quantrill (shoulder) back from the injured list within the next week or two.