Guardians Add Matt Krook via Waivers, Assign Left-Hander to Triple-A
The Cleveland Guardians made a roster move on Thursday by claiming Matt Krook off waivers from the Oakland Athletics, as reported by Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. After being removed from Oakland’s 40-man roster earlier in the week, the left-handed pitcher is now headed to Triple-A Columbus, where he’ll begin his stint with the Guardians’ organization.
Krook had a brief and challenging appearance with the Athletics this season, surrendering two earned runs over 3.1 innings pitched, which contributed to his removal from their major league roster. Despite that small sample in the big leagues, Krook has actually shown promise in the minors, posting a solid 3.21 ERA over 14 innings with Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate. The Guardians appear to have seen enough in his Triple-A performance to take a chance on the 29-year-old pitcher as a potential bullpen option down the line.
In order to accommodate Krook on Cleveland’s 40-man roster, the team moved starting pitcher Ben Lively to the 60-day injured list due to an elbow injury. This shift opened up the necessary roster space and allowed the Guardians to take a flier on Krook’s left-handed arm, a valuable commodity in any bullpen.
Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants, Krook has had a journeyman career, spending time in multiple organizations, including the New York Yankees before joining Oakland. While he hasn’t yet secured a consistent role in the majors, he has shown moments of potential, especially as a strikeout pitcher in the minors. His ability to generate swings and misses could be appealing to Cleveland’s pitching staff, which has a strong track record of developing and refining pitchers.
Although Krook won’t be joining Cleveland’s major league bullpen immediately, his placement in Triple-A Columbus gives him the opportunity to adjust to a new system and prove he can contribute at the next level. The Guardians are known for making savvy, low-risk acquisitions, especially when it comes to pitching depth. Adding a left-hander like Krook gives the team another option in case of injuries or underperformance on the big-league roster.
This waiver claim also reflects Cleveland’s proactive approach to managing its pitching depth, particularly with injuries beginning to mount. With Ben Lively sidelined long-term, the organization is clearly exploring alternative arms who might be able to step in if needed later in the season. Krook could potentially fill a long relief or situational lefty role should he earn a promotion from Triple-A.
While his major league résumé remains limited, Krook has accumulated significant experience at the Triple-A level and is still viewed by many as having untapped upside. His command and consistency have occasionally held him back, but his ability to miss bats remains intriguing.
For now, Krook will aim to settle in with the Columbus Clippers and continue showcasing his skills in hopes of earning a call-up. If he can put together a string of effective outings, the Guardians could very well give him a look at the major league level later this season, especially if they continue to deal with injuries or need left-handed bullpen reinforcements.
Ultimately, this move is a low-cost gamble for Cleveland with potential upside. Krook adds depth to the organization, fills a current need in Triple-A, and offers a chance for more bullpen flexibility as the season progresses. Time will tell if the change of scenery and Cleveland’s pitching development team can help Krook take the next step in his career.
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