CLEVELAND, Ohio — Triston McKenzie, who spent 11 years in the Cleveland organization, will report to spring training with San Diego on a minor league contract in February.

McKenzie, once one of the Guardians’ most promising starters, opened last season in the bullpen. He made only four appearances before being designated for assignment after an April 16 appearance against Baltimore.

The 6-5, 170-pound McKenzie cleared waivers and accepted the outright to Triple-A Columbus. He could have rejected the outright and become a free agent.

Unfortunately, McKenzie’s struggles continued.

After posting an 11.12 ERA (seven runs in 5 2/3 innings) and seven walks with the big-league club, he went 0-3 with a 7.17 ERA (17 earned runs in 21 1/3 innings) in the minors. In 16 games for Cleveland’s Complex League team and Columbus, he struck out 31, but walked the same number of batters.

McKenzie was the Guardians’ second overall pick in the 2015 draft. They selected him out of Royal Palm Beach (Florida) High School and gave him an over-slot signing bonus of $2.3 million.

He made his big-league debut during the 2020 COVID-19 season, striking out 10 Tigers in six innings in a 6-1 win on Aug. 22. In the postseason that year, he pitched out of the bullpen against the Yankees in the wild card series.

McKenzie’s best year came in 2022 when he went 11-11 with a 2.96 ERA in 31 games, including 30 starts. He struck out a career-high 190 batters in 191 1/3 innings. The opposition hit .209 against him.

Injuries in 2023 prevented McKenzie from building on his 2022 season. He strained the Teres Major muscle in his right shoulder in his final spring training start and opened the year on the injured list.

McKenzie rejoined the Guardians in June, but strained his right elbow in a start against Houston on June 6. Tommy John surgery was discussed, but McKenzie elected to rehab the elbow.

He went 3-5 with a 5.11 ERA in 16 starts for Cleveland in 2024. The Guardians optioned him to Columbus on June 30, and he never rejoined the big-league club for the rest of the season.

In parts of six seasons with Cleveland, McKenzie went 21-29 with a 4.07 ERA. He appeared in 88 games, including 80 starts, and pitched 442 innings. He struck out 462, walked 188 and allowed 331 hits.

McKenzie, 28, will be reunited with pitching coach Ruben Niebla with the Padres. Niebla coached McKenzie in the big leagues and minors with the Guardians.

Paul Hoynes, born in Cleveland, has been the beat writer for the Indians/Guardians since 1983. He attended Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland and received a journalism degree from Marquette University. He…