Marcus Stroman gifts Triston McKenzie promised Rolex

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs' Marcus Stroman gifts Guardians' Triston McKenzie promised Rolex

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/4/22

A promise is a promise.

As Bryan Mcwilliam mentioned for The Score, Chicago Cubs veteran pitcher Marcus Stroman promised back in January that he would buy up-and-coming Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie an expensive Rolex watch if McKenzie ended the 2022 MLB season with over 160 innings of work completed and an ERA of 3.70 or lower.

McKenzie accomplished that goal seemingly with ease, and Stroman proved to be a man of his word:

He already got it. ‍♂️ https://t.co/C8lLE2WKaZ
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) October 3, 2022

Last one of the regular season today. Let’s finish strong!! Thank you pic.twitter.com/On3Q1aXtgC
— Triston ‍‍ McKenzie (@T_eazy24) October 3, 2022

McKenzie took the bump Monday night against the Kansas City Royals for his last start before the postseason tournament begins, and the 25-year-old will end the regular season with an 11-11 record and a 2.96 ERA across 191.1 innings. The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) notes McKenzie will start the second game of the upcoming wild-card series for the reigning American League Central champions.

"I tried to use tonight as a tester, just trying to get my mind right for the playoffs," McKenzie said of Monday's outing. "There are a lot of nerves for everybody, even moving into this last stretch of games before the playoffs."

As for the watch, The Athletic's Zack Meisel explained that McKenzie, who names "everything" he owns, is calling the piece "Artemis."