Cal Quantrill to begin rehab assignment Friday

The Cleveland Guardians are getting closer to another arm returning to their pitching staff. Cal Quantrill is set to start his rehab assignment Friday with the Columbus Clippers, Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate.

Quantrill landed on the injured list earlier this month with right shoulder inflammation. There have been quite a few changes for the Guardians pitching rotation since being placed on the injured list. The club has seen the returns of Aaron Civale and Triston McKenzie, with the latter recently returning to the injured list with a UCL sprain. Cleveland has also welcomed another rookie starter into the mix in Gavin Williams, set to make his MLB debut Wednesday. The youth movement in the rotation with Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen, along with the impending debut of Williams, has allowed Cleveland to stay afloat and relevant in the American League Central division.

Before going down with a shoulder injury, Quantrill was not exactly having a good season. Quantrill's 5.61 ERA, 1.416 WHIP, and 5.2 strikeouts per nine in 59.1 innings are career-worsts. The final four starts prior to landing on the injured list saw Quantrill give up 24 hits, 20 earned runs, and three home runs with eight walks and 13 strikeouts in 20 innings. This is hardly the level of performance expected of a starting pitcher.

It is possible that the shoulder issue has been an issue for Quantrill all season considering that his lackluster outings have been a recurring theme all season. Perhaps this extended time off allows the shoulder of Quantrill to no longer be an issue. If his shoulder is healthy and he can pitch effectively, there would be a spot for him back in Cleveland. Some of that depends on whether or not Williams stays beyond one start and if there is any trades involving current rotation arms that would create an opening. Either way, there is a role of some type awaiting Quantrill upon completing his rehab.