CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians have used 11 different starting pitchers in 2019, after using just six last season.
Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger have all missed significant time. Clevinger is healthy and starting on Friday night for the Tribe. Kluber is inching closer to a return after breaking his forearm in May.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner had his arm examined on Thursday. He was cleared to long toss a few weeks ago. The check-up went well and Kluber could be cleared to throw a bullpen session in the near future.
“He got a good check-up,” manager Terry Francona said. “He threw out to 150 feet with really good intensity. Now the doctors are trying to put their heads together to see when he can start his bullpens and so he will continue to long toss until that group of doctors deems that he’s ready for bullpens.”
Francona said it could be a few weeks before Kluber gets in the pen, but it could be sooner. It just depends one when doctors clear him for the next step in his recovery.
Danny Salazar started his first game in nearly two years on Thursday night for Double-A Akron. He allowed one run and two hits in 2⅔ innings.
“He was pretty optimistic about his three innings, and now he’ll stay on his five-day program,” Francona said. “He’ll throw a side day on his side day, and do his other stuff. But everybody was pretty optimistic, including Danny.”
The Indians can’t bank on Salazar contributing this season, but there’s a scenario where he pitches well enough to make it back to the big leagues and contributes down the stretch.
Tyler Naquin was originally in the lineup on Friday night, but was scratched after Francona and the trainers discussed a back injury he suffered on Thursday evening.
“When he got out of the car last night after our workout, he tweaked his back,” Francona said. “He’s gonna be fine. James (Quinlan) and I were in there and I saw him, and I was like we just had four days off I don’t want him to play one night and have to take four more off.”
Head trainer James Quinlan will work to loosen up Naquin’s back, in hopes of him being available on Saturday against the Twins. Greg Allen will start on Friday night, alongside Oscar Mercado and Jake Bauers.
