Guardians Pitcher Fractures Hand; 2nd Starter Also Heads To IL

Whenever a starting pitcher is scratched on the day of his start, it's concerning. And when the Cleveland Guardians first announced that a hand injury had sidelined Zach Plesac, fans could only hope for the best. Now the team has made it official. Plesac is dealing with a fracture in his throwing hand.

Guardians announce that Zach Plesac's injury is a fracture to the fifth metacarpal in his right hand.

— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) September 2, 2022

Specifically, it's a fracture to the fifth metacarpal in his right hand. Not good for a right-handed pitcher. And the way that it happened is even worse.

The thinking is Zach Plesac injured his hand while punching the dirt on the mound after surrendering a home run to Jake Lamb in his last start in Seattle.

Cody Morris starts tonight. Xzavion Curry starts tomorrow.

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) September 2, 2022

Plesac had been struggling in his last seven starts, with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. His ERA on the season now sits at 4.39 and his WHIP at 1.31.

Cody Morris will start in Plesac's place, and will be making his MLB debut in the process.

The 25-year-old right-hander had posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.70 across 9 minor league starts this year. He was just activated off the 60-day IL today, after having suffered a strained teres major muscle back in Spring Training. 

The Guardians are also losing another starter, as Aaron Civale heads to the IL as well. 

Let’s add more to this now: Both Aaron Civale (right forearm inflammation) and Zach Plesac (right hand fracture) have been placed on the IL. Xzavion Curry and Kirk McCarty will be added to the roster.

— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) September 2, 2022

Civale is out with right forearm inflammation. He has a 5.40 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP this season. 

Xzavion Curry and Kirk McCarty have been called up to replace them on the roster. 

Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY NETWORK