Travis Bazzana, the Cleveland Guardians’ No. 1 prospect on MLB Pipeline, exited Thursday’s game with Triple-A Columbus due to left oblique soreness, per MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins.
He was previously on the injured list from May 21 to July 18 because of an internal right oblique strain. When Bazzana has been available this season, he’s slashed .245/.389/.424 with nine home runs and 39 RBI over 84 games spanning three different minor league levels.
The Guardians selected Bazzana with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft out of Oregon State. He made his Triple-A debut with Columbus on Aug. 12.
Travis Bazzana exited last night's game with Triple-A Columbus with left oblique soreness, per source. Bazzana previously was on the IL from mid-May to early July with an internal right oblique strain.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) September 12, 2025
Bazzana leaves game with injury
Bazzana struck out in both of his at-bats on Thursday night at St. Paul before exiting the game. He’s struggled to hit over 26 games in Triple-A this season (.225 average), but he’s drawn 29 walks for a .420 on-base percentage.
The 23-year-old second baseman signed a franchise record $8.95 million deal with Cleveland as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024. Originally from Australia, he played college ball at Oregon State, where he earned Freshman All-America honors in 2022 before winning the Cape Cod League MVP award the following year.
Then Bazzana had a historic 2024 season, slashing .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs. He ranked second in the NCAA in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS (1.479). Pipeline’s scouting report couldn’t find any “obvious weakness at the plate.”
Defensively, he could play second base at the Major League level in the near future, especially after the Guardians traded Andres Gimenez last offseason. But Pipeline also suggests Cleveland might put Bazzana at center field due to the club’s middle-infield depth.
Regardless, the Guardians hope Bazzana won’t miss any extended time.