Williams came away with a no-decision in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks over five-plus innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander's control and command continue to be an issue. Williams tossed 59 of 102 pitches for strikes before getting the hook after allowing a leadoff single to Luis Robert in the sixth, but Lenyn Sosa was his biggest nemesis as the Chicago second baseman launched solo shots in the first and fifth innings. The five free passes weren't even a season high for Williams -- he issued six walks May 26 against the Dodgers -- and he's walked multiple batters in 10 straight trips to the mound, a stretch from which he's somehow emerged with a respectable 3.25 ERA and 1.27 WHIP despite a 44:33 K:BB over 55.1 innings.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Dominant against Tigers
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Williams did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning loss to Detroit. He allowed a hit and three walks over six shutout frames while striking out eight.
Williams walked the first batter of the game before retiring 14 straight Tigers. He worked around a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning and kept Detroit off the board during one of his best starts of the year. Williams threw 61 of 97 pitches for strikes and generated 18 whiffs, including seven with his sweeper. Unfortunately for Williams, Cleveland's offense couldn't get anything going against Tarik Skubal and eventually lost in the 10th frame. Williams has walked at least three batters in five straight outings and now owns a 90:52 K:BB through 92.1 frames. He'll carry a 3.61 ERA into his next outing, which is expected to be on the road against the White Sox.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Falters late in no-decision
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Williams did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win against the Blue Jays, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Williams allowed just one run over his first five innings but was unable to escape the sixth, ultimately being charged with three runs (two earned) in the frame. While the 25-year-old's 20:13 K:BB over five June outings is underwhelming, he has a 2.57 ERA across 28 innings while notching three quality starts during that stretch. He'll carry a 3.68 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 80:45 K:BB across 80.2 innings into a road matchup with the Cubs.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Fans six in six shutout innings
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Williams didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Giants, giving up two hits and three walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out six.
Williams turned in his third scoreless start of the season, scattering two singles Thursday. The 25-year-old right-hander appears to be settling in a bit following a shaky start to the year -- which saw him log a 5.06 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through his first seven outings -- as he's produced a 2.49 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 41:23 K:BB covering his last eight appearances (43.1 innings). Up next for Williams is a scheduled matchup versus the hot-hitting Blue Jays, who are slugging .449 against right-handed pitching over their last 38 games.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Inefficient in no-decision
Rotowire
Williams allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one over four innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Mariners.
Williams threw just 55 of 89 pitches for strikes, and he wasn't able to dial up enough strikeouts to make things go smoother. The result was an inefficient outing, the second time in four starts he's failed to complete five frames. Williams has maintained a 3.89 ERA this season, but his 1.47 WHIP and 72:39 K:BB over 69.1 innings are a little less encouraging. The right-hander is projected to make his next start on the road in San Francisco.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Turns in quality start
Rotowire
Williams took a no-decision after he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings during Saturday's 5-3, extra-inning loss to the Astros
Williams continues to do a good job at limiting hits in his starts, surrendering five or fewer in six straight. Walks have been the thing to hurt the 25-year-old this season as he walked multiple batters Saturday for the 11th time in 13 starts. The strikeout numbers look good with a 9.8 K/9, but the right-hander will likely need to cut down on the free passes in order to maintain his current ERA of 3.86.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Struggles with control in loss
Rotowire
Williams (4-3) took the loss against the Dodgers on Monday, allowing four runs on four hits and six walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings.
Williams' outing began ominously when Shohei Ohtani laced his first pitch to right field for a home run. That ended up being the only extra-base hit Williams allowed, but his struggles for the remainder of his time in the game were mostly centered on his control -- he issued a season-high six free passes and needed 109 pitches to get through 4.2 frames, with just 66 of his offerings being strikes. The control issues are nothing new for Williams, as he now leads the majors with 32 free passes allowed on the season. He's offered glimpses of excellence, especially with his 60 punchouts through 52.2 frames, and he racked up an impressive 15 whiffs Monday. However, Williams' WHIP stands at an inflated 1.58 due largely to the control issues, and his 4.27 ERA is well below league-average.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Nice showing in no-decision
Rotowire
Williams did not factor into the decision Wednesday, giving up two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings in a 9-5 loss to the Brewers. He struck out six.
The right-hander allowed a run on two hits and a walk during the second inning and a solo homer in the fifth, but he was otherwise able to keep Milwaukee in check. Williams has surrendered just two runs with a 14:5 K:BB in his past two starts, but he covered five frames in both outings and hasn't pitched into the sixth inning since April 21. He has a 4.29 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through nine starts this year and lines up to face the Twins on the road early next week.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Falls to Orioles
Rotowire
Williams (1-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Orioles, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out four.
Williams pitched better than his final line would indicate, though he was hurt by the home-run ball -- he'd give up a grand slam to Jackson Holiday in the second inning before Ramon Laureano added a solo shot in the seventh. It's the first loss of the season for the 25-year-old Williams, who'll carry a 4.58 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB into his next start, tentatively scheduled as a tough home matchup with the Yankees.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Grabs first win
Rotowire
Williams (1-0 ) earned the win Thursday over the White Sox, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
Williams allowed a run in the first inning before settling down to blank the White Sox over his final four frames, retiring 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. Williams lowered his ERA to 3.46 with a 1.38 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through his first three starts (13 innings) this year. He'll look to build on Thursday's outing in his next start, tentatively lined up for next week in Baltimore.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Labors through three frames
Rotowire
Williams didn't factor in the decision Friday against the Angels after giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander wasn't helped out by his defense as a two-out error during the third inning led to a pair of runs, but Williams created plenty of trouble of his own prior to that miscue. The 25-year-old needed 75 pitches to record just nine outs, which prevented him from having a chance at qualifying for the victory. Williams has yet to reach the 80-pitch mark in either of his two starts this season, but he lines up for a favorable matchup with the White Sox in his next turn through the rotation.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Named ALCS Game 4 starter
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Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Thursday that Williams will start Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Williams hasn't pitched since Sept. 22, as the Guardians haven't needed a fourth starter yet this postseason. He will be opposed by Luis Gil. Williams was limited to 16 starts during the regular season due to elbow issues and finished with a 4.86 ERA and 79:32 K:BB over 76 innings.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Falls short of quality start
Rotowire
Williams allowed a run on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out three during the loss to St. Louis.
Williams fired five scoreless innings before the Cardinals finally pushed a run home in the sixth. He broke a three-start losing streak but has now failed to complete six innings in seven of his last eight appearances. During that span, he's produced a 5.35 ERA with a 37:19 K:BB. Williams needed 86 pitches Sunday and generated only four swinging strikes. His season ERA sits at 4.86 with a 79:32 K:BB through 76 innings. Williams' final start of the regular season is projected to be at home against Houston.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Fans seven in loss
Rotowire
Williams (3-10) took the loss Tuesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
The Cleveland right-hander's losing streak now stands at three, although, he performed much better in this 89-pitch outing. Williams entered having allowed eight runs across his last six innings and managed to generate a solid 16 whiffs en route to his seven punchouts. The 25-year-old just couldn't handle Matt Wallner, as the Minnesota slugger drove in both runs allowed via a pair of RBI singles. Williams has now pitched to a 5.12 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 76:30 K:BB across 70.1 innings this season. He lines up to make his next start against the Cardinals in St. Louis this weekend.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Saddled with seventh loss
Rotowire
Williams (2-7) took the loss Tuesday against the Royals, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.
The Cleveland right-hander's run of tough luck continues, as he took his third consecutive loss in this rain-shortened, 83-pitch outing. However, the only blemish on this particular night was a two-run homer allowed to Paul DeJong in the second inning. The 25-year-old Williams has now pitched to a 4.99 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 58:21 K:BB across 52.1 innings this season. He currently lines up to make his next appearance against the Pirates at home this weekend.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Efficient, impressive in victory
Rotowire
Williams (2-4) earned the win over Minnesota on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out three batters over six innings.
Though Williams produced only three punchouts, he was very efficient and needed just 73 pitches (49 strikes) to get through six frames. The right-handed hurler kept the Twins off the scoreboard until his final inning, and Cleveland's bullpen was perfect the rest of the way to ensure Williams ended up with the win. This was an excellent bounce-back for the 25-year-old after he gave up six runs across four frames against Baltimore in his previous start. Williams will carry a 4.38 ERA into his next outing, which is tentatively slated to take place in Milwaukee.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Fans nine in defeat
Rotowire
Williams (0-3) took the loss against Detroit on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over six innings.
Williams completed six frames for the first time since returning from an elbow injury to make his season debut July 20. The right-hander recorded a season-high nine punchouts and registered a quality start, but a Javier Baez three-run homer in the second inning was enough to stick Williams with his third loss. The 25-year-old tossed a season-high 105 pitches Thursday, so he appears to be fully clear of the elbow issue. His next start is projected to be a rematch with the Tigers on the road next week.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Returns from 60-day IL
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The Guardians reinstated Williams (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Cleveland designated right-hander Darren McCaughan for assignment and demoted right-hander Triston McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus to clear spots on the 40-man roster, 26-man active roster and in the rotation for Williams, who is poised to make his 2024 debut for the Guardians during the club's three-game series versus the White Sox this week. Williams had been on the shelf all season after injuring his right elbow during a weighted-ball workout in spring training, but he looks to be stretched out for starting duty after covering five and four innings in the final two of his six rehab outings at Triple-A Columbus. After turning in a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts as a rookie in 2023, Williams makes for an appealing pickup in shallower formats where he might still be kicking around on the waiver wire.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Next rehab start set
Rotowire
Williams (elbow) will make his next rehab start Saturday and is expected to throw about four innings and 65 pitches, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Williams covered three frames during his third rehab outing Sunday and will continue building up his workload this weekend. The right-hander could require another start in the minors after that before joining the Guardians, but he should be ready for his season debut in the majors before the end of June.
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Guardians' Gavin Williams: Resumes throwing
Rotowire
Williams (elbow) resumed throwing Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Williams was cleared by doctors to restart his throwing program Wednesday, and manager Stephen Vogt said the 24-year-old righty was able to get through his throwing session Thursday without any pain. Williams still has a long way to go in his rehab process, but he is certainly trending in the right direction after suffering a setback during a sim game April 20.
