Cecconi was diagnosed with a mild left oblique strain Tuesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Cecconi's injury will put an early end to his spring after just three appearances, during which he allowed 11 runs (10 earned) over 5.1 innings. The right-hander has already begun rehab, though he hasn't yet been cleared for throwing and will begin the season on the injured list. Once he receives the green light to start a throwing program, a clearer return timeline may emerge.
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Guardians' Slade Cecconi: Knocked around Sunday
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Cecconi allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Brewers.
Cecconi breezed through the first inning on 11 pitches before trouble came knocking in his second frame. He allowed five runs on three hits, two walks and a fielding error before he was pulled early. The right-hander came back out for the third but surrendered three more hits and two runs. He threw 50 pitches (30 strikes) in what was his first Cactus League start (second appearance). Cecconi is being built up as a starter this spring and is a long-shot to claim a rotation spot. A long relief job is also a possibility.
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Guardians' Slade Cecconi: Will build as starter
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Cecconi will build up as a starter during spring training, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Cecconi, who was acquired from Arizona during the offseason, worked as a starter and reliever with the Diamondbacks, although he was knocked around in both roles. The Guardians' front office was concerned about starting depth entering the offseason, and they've worked to address that, adding Cecconi and Luis Ortiz, but there are still unknowns. Both Gavin Williams and Triston McKenzie had rocky campaigns in 2024, which opens a crack for Cecconi to emerge as a member of the rotation that opens the season.
Cecconi was traded from Arizona to the Guardians on Saturday in exchange for Josh Naylor, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Cecconi appeared in 20 games for the Diamondbacks last season, with 13 of those outings coming as a starter. He put up poor numbers with a 6.66 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 18.9 percent strikeout rate over 77 innings, but his FIP was better at 5.02, and he ranked in the 92nd percentile leaguewide with a 5.0 percent walk rate. Cecconi could begin 2025 at the back end of Cleveland's rotation or continue to serve in a swingman role.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Optioned back to minors
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Cecconi was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Cecconi was recalled Sept. 1 and allowed seven earned runs over 3.2 innings while in the majors. Cecconi has bounced between Reno and Arizona several times this season, so it's possible that he could return to the big leagues in the final days of the regular season.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Returns to big leagues
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks recalled Cecconi from Triple-A Reno prior to Sunday's 14-3 win over the Dodgers.
Cecconi has started in 13 of his 17 appearances for the Diamondbacks this season, but with Arizona's rotation at full strength heading into the final month of the season, the right-hander will fill a relief role this time around. He had already made the transition to the bullpen after being sent down to Reno on Aug. 9, striking out 10 while allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks over 9.2 innings across seven appearances prior to his call-up.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks optioned Cecconi to Triple-A Reno on Friday.
Cecconi threw three innings of relief Thursday and allowed two runs on four hits. However, with the Diamondbacks in need of fresh arms ahead of a three-game series against the Phillies, Cecconi will cede his spot on the active roster to Scott McGough.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Fires two scoreless relief innings
Rotowire
Cecconi struck out three over two hitless and scoreless relief innings in Monday's 9-8 win over the Nationals.
Cecconi was called up Monday from Triple-A Reno, where he had been shifted from starter to the bullpen. The Diamondbacks like that his velocity jumped in shorter stints, so it's likely he remains in the bullpen. While a starter with Arizona earlier this season, Cecconi had trouble getting deep into games and facing lineups a third time.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Moves up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks recalled Cecconi from Triple-A Reno on Monday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
After he was optioned to Reno in mid-July, Cecconi made all three of his appearances at Triple-A as a reliever before he got called up again. However, with a spot in the rotation sitting open for this weekend's series in Pittsburgh, it's possible Cecconi will be asked to make a start or at least absorb some innings in long relief. He's posted a 6.14 ERA in 14 appearances (13 starts) in the majors in 2024.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks optioned Cecconi to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
Cecconi allowed three earned runs in four innings during his start Wednesday, raising his ERA to 6.14 to go along with his 1.32 WHIP. The return of Miguel Castro (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list will force Cecconi back to Triple-A, where he's posted a respectable 3.38 ERA in 26.2 innings over five starts. Should the Diamondbacks run into any further trouble with their rotation depth, the 25-year-old may be brought back to Arizona, though a few solid outings in Triple-A would certainly improve his chances.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Returning to minors
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks are optioning Cecconi to Triple-A Reno following Wednesday's no-decision against Atlanta, Alex Weiner and John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports report. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings in a 7-5 win.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he considered using an opener Wednesday but eventually opted to let Cecconi throw as a traditional starter. The plan was to let him face at least 18 hitters, and the manager would have extended the right-hander if Arizona had a big lead. As it turned out, the game was tied after four innings, and Lovullo stuck with the original plan. The team doesn't need a fifth starter for now, as the All-Star break is coming up. Cecconi has a 6.14 ERA over 66 innings and has struggled to get deep into games.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Struggles continue
Rotowire
Cecconi allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Friday.
Cecconi was spared the loss only because the Diamondbacks rallied in the top of the ninth inning. This was the sixth time in seven appearances since the start of June that Cecconi failed to complete five innings. He's now at a 6.10 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 50:12 K:BB through 62 innings over 13 outings (12 starts) this season. The 25-year-old's next start is projected to be at home versus Atlanta.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Poor in no-decision
Rotowire
Cecconi allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over four innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Friday.
Cecconi pitched six times in June, but he completed five innings just once. While he had just one truly awful start in that span, he allowed a total of 15 runs over 25 innings, albeit with a tantalizing 26:3 K:BB. Cecconi is at a 5.81 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 48:11 K:BB through 57.1 innings over 12 appearances (11 starts). He's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Dodgers next week.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Pulled after three innings
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Cecconi (2-6) suffered the loss Sunday, allowing one run on five hits over three innings against the Phillies. He struck out two.
Cecconi completed three innings and was pulled after tossing just 46 pitches, having allowed one earned run. He had tossed at least 70 pitches in each of his previous nine starts, but after allowing five hits and facing 11 batters during the second and third innings and with a morning game-time temperature of 91 degrees, manager Torey Lovullo decided to pull the plug early on Cecconi's outing. Cecconi was coming off a performance on Tuesday in which he tossed six scoreless against the Nationals. His next start is scheduled to come in a much softer matchup next weekend as the Diamondbacks play host to Oakland.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Blanks Nats for second win
Rotowire
Cecconi (2-5) picked up the win Tuesday, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings in a 5-0 victory over the Nationals. He struck out six without walking a batter.
The 24-year-old right-hander put together the best start of his career, retiring the first nine batters he faced and not allowing a runner to get past second base. Cecconi snapped a five-decision losing streak with the performance, while the quality start was his first since April 27 -- which was also the last start in which he didn't serve up a homer. He'll take a 5.90 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB through 50.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Philadelphia.
Cecconi (1-5) took the loss Wednesday versus the Angels, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and four strikeouts over three-plus innings. He did not walk a batter.
The lack of walks was about the only positive for Cecconi, who gave up a solo home run to Zach Neto and a three-run blast to Jo Adell in this lopsided loss. Cecconi has failed to complete five innings in each of his three starts in June, allowing 11 runs over 12 innings in that span. The right-hander is at a 6.70 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB through 44.1 innings over nine appearances (eight starts). Zac Gallen (hamstring) progressed to mound work Tuesday, but it's no guarantee at this point that Cecconi will remain in the rotation regardless of Gallen's status since Cecconi hasn't pitched well at the major-league level.
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Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Does alright in no-decision
Rotowire
Cecconi allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk and struck out three batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Thursday.
Cecconi was again fine but not great in his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Reno to take Zac Gallen's (hamstring) place in the rotation. Cecconi has allowed four runs over nine innings across those two starts, and he's at a 5.66 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB through 41.1 innings over eight appearances (seven starts) this year. Gallen resumed throwing earlier in the week, but he's not eligible to return until next Friday, so Cecconi should be in line for a home start versus the Angels next week.
