The Cleveland Guardians will send right-hander Slade Cecconi to the mound against the Kansas City Royals in a Thursday afternoon matchup at Kauffman Stadium. The 26-year-old enters the game with a 1-4 record and a 6.56 ERA over seven starts this season.
Cecconi has allowed at least four earned runs in three consecutive outings and surrendered eight home runs in just 35 2/3 innings pitched. Last season he posted a 7-7 record with a 4.30 ERA in 23 starts and took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his only prior appearance against Kansas City on Sept. 8.