Zak

Kent

Kent was released earlier this month, but returns to the fold in Cleveland as extra organizational pitching depth. The 26-year-old righty, who hasn’t pitched in the minors since early April due to injury, hasn’t made an appearance for the Guardians since being acquired back in late March in a trade with the defending World Series champion Rangers.

Kent passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment last weekend and will search for a new opportunity elsewhere. The 26-year-old was picked up back in March in a small trade with the Rangers and didn’t end up making an appearance for the Guardians.

Kent has been removed from Cleveland’s 40-man roster to make room for newly-signed lefty Matthew Boyd. The 26-year-old was picked up back in March in a small trade with the Rangers and hasn’t made an appearance for the Guardians yet.

Kent was optioned to Triple-A earlier in March, so he’s likely to stay down there but within the Guardians’ farm system. The 26-year-old had a rough spring camp where he posted a 12.27 ERA over 3 2/3 innings of work.

Kent will begin his 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level after having a tough spring camp with the defending champs. In three spring games, Kent posted a 12.27 ERA and allowed five earned runs over 3 2/3 innings of work.

The 25-year-old threw just 34 innings at Triple-A this year, but posted a 3.97 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP while posting 34 strikeouts. On Tuesday, he had a 72 percent strike rate with a deep arsenal of pitches and could push for a big league innings in 2024.

Carter made some serious noise this spring in Rangers camp and was generating some buzz as a potential Opening Day roster candidate. The 20-year-old former second-round selection might have a shot at making his big league debut this season, if everything breaks right.

Kent dealt with a similar issue last year, so the Rangers are playing things safe. He took five days off from throwing and is ready to ramp things back up again. The 25-year-old was added to the Rangers’ 40-man roster in November after posting a 3.94 ERA over 24 starts between Double- and Triple-A in 2022.

Kent has been added to the Rangers’ 40-man roster and will be protected from selection in next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old right-hander compiled a respectable 3.94 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 110/43 K/BB ratio across 109 2/3 innings (24 starts) last year between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.