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Bibee

Bibee allowed five hits, walked none and struck out three before coming out. It’s the fourth time this season that he’s allowed one or no runs, but he’s won just one of those games. He’s 3-3 with a 3.80 ERA overall ahead of a date with the Reds in Cincinnati.

Bibee came out to warm up for the sixth inning, but wound up signaling for a trainer and immediately departed the contest. The 26-year-old righty, who has dealt with cramping issues in the past, was charged with three runs — two earned — over five innings before departing. He struck out three and issued two walks. The hope for the Guardians and fantasy managers is that his early exit was merely for precautionary reasons. There should be an update on his status shortly.

Bibee was sharp in this one, putting together his best start of the season. He cruised through four quiet innings, giving up just one hit until the fifth, when Ty France took him deep for a solo homer to put the Twins on the board. Bibee tossed two more scoreless innings, ending his day after seven with five strikeouts and no walks. The 26-year-old right-hander will look to build off the strong start when he takes a 4.36 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 25/14 K/BB ratio across 33 innings into a start against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Sunday.

It’s a more effective outing for Bibee, but he recorded just four missed swings tonight. On the other hand, his 95.5 mph average on his fastball was his season best by a full 1.2 mph, and he got 30 foul balls in the 106-pitch outing. We’ll choose to be encouraged. He’s 2-2 with a 5.19 ERA overall as heads into a home start against the Twins next week.

Bibee allowed only six hard-hit balls, but three of those turned into homers. A couple of those homers would have stayed in play in other parks (one was a homer in 15 parks, another a homer in six), but that’s not to say Bibee was good. He again lacked command, and four walks tonight gave him a 12.6 percent walk rate through four starts. That’s double last year’s mark of 6.2 percent. At least his new cutter was effective tonight. Maybe Bibee will wind up being a disappointment this year, but it’s hard to see him remaining bad like this. He is benchable with the Yankees next on the schedule.

Bibee was fuming to come out with a 3-0 lead one out away from qualifying for a win, but he had just issued his fourth walk of the night. Tim Herrin replaced him with two on and retired Vinnie Pasquantino to end the frame. The Guardians pen then kept the shutout going the rest of the way. Bibee has pitched 10 1/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City this year, though his other start against the Angels was bad enough to leave him with a 4.40 ERA to date. He’ll face the Orioles next.

Bibee couldn’t keep the ball in the park Saturday, as he gave up four homers in the contest; three of those of the two-run variety. He was able to strikeout four against one walk, but that’s of little consolation. Bibee was excellent in the opener, but clearly didn’t have it in his second outing. His third will come in a rematch against the Royals over the weekend.

Bibee was scratched from his Opening Day start because of food poisoning, but he was fine today, even if he did settle for two strikeouts. He did give up a shot to Vinnie Pasquantino in the first that would have been a homer in 24 parks, though not in Kansas City. Right fielder Nolan Jones had it go off his glove as he crashed into the wall and then nearly fell down because the Royals’ bullpen door popped open. It went as a triple. Bibee’s next start is due to come in Anaheim.

Bibee was supposed to start Thursday’s opener against Kansas City, but he wasn’t able to pitch because of food poisoning. The 26-year-old should be ready to roll for the series finale.

Bibee will be replaced by Ben Lively, but there is no word yet on where Bibee will slot into the rotation. Bibee said in an interview this offseason that he always has to eat Chipotle when he starts, but it’s unclear if he had already had his ritual meal before the food poisoning struck.