CLEVELAND -- Tanner Bibee, one of the organization's top pitching prospects, was called up by the Cleveland Guardians and earned the victory in his major league debut against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.
Bibee, 24, allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight with no walks in the 4-1 victory. He hit leadoff man Charlie Blackmon with a 2-2 pitch in the first but retired the next three before striking out five straight and six of the next seven.
"It's hard not to get excited," Guardians manager Francona said. "A kid pitches in his first major league game. It only happens once."
Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said before the game that a decision on whether Biebee will get another start will be made in the next few days.
Bibee, who arrived in Cleveland on Tuesday night, is the third starting pitcher to make his debut for the Guardians this season, following Logan Allen and Peyton Battenfield. Rookie Hunter Gaddis has also made four starts. Bibee is rated as the game's No. 93 overall prospect by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel.
"I was at the hotel and it was an unbelievable feeling," Bibee said about arriving Tuesday night. "A lot of adrenaline and a lot of emotions."
Several family members, friends, former coaches and his agent made the trip from California to attend the game.
Injuries to Triston McKenzie (strained right teres major muscle) and Aaron Civale (strained left oblique) have forced the Guardians to turn to their top minor league prospects sooner than anticipated. McKenzie was injured in his final start of spring training and Civale went on the 15-day injured list after making two starts. Both could return in late May, with McKenzie throwing in the bullpen as early as this weekend.
Bibee, a right-hander, was Cleveland's fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft and pitched at two levels in the minors last season. He was 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA in three starts at Triple-A Columbus this season. Bibee has made 28 minor league starts, going 10-2 with a 2.13 ERA with 186 strikeouts over 148 innings.
Allen allowed run and struck out eight over six innings Sunday against Miami. The left-hander is scheduled to start again Sunday in Boston.
"We were roommates in Columbus, so it's pretty cool to see," Bibee said of Allen. "I think a week ago we were at home against Toledo and I had a pretty bad start against Toledo."
Left-hander Konnor Pilkington was designated for assignment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.