CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Guardians placed starting pitcher Aaron Civale on the 15-day injured list with a sprained right wrist.
The move comes after Civale departed after just one inning of Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to the White Sox.
“One of the first curveballs he threw [Wednesday] night he kind of felt something and that set it off,” manager Terry Francona said Thursday before the Guardians opened a four-game weekend series with the Tigers.
Civale left the ballpark and underwent an MRI which revealed the injury Wednesday night.
“There’s a ligament in there that’s enflamed, strained or sprained – however you want to [describe it], there’s some swelling in that ligament,” Francona said. “They termed it mild, which is good. Nothing structurally – by that I mean bones or anything like that.”
The team is hoping Civale will see world renown orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Graham early next week for a second opinion and to help them establish a timetable and program for Civale’s rehab.
“He’s going to need some time to let this thing cool off anyway, and then after Graham sees him we’ll have a much better idea I think of a path forward,” Francona said.
Civale first experienced the injury following an outing against the Yankees earlier this month according to Francona.
This season, Civale is 2-5 with a 6.17 ERA in 12 starts.
Maile OK – Backup catcher Luke Maile appears to be fine after a foul ball bounced up and hit him in the bottom of his facemask in the ninth inning Wednesday night.
Following the game, Francona indicated he was concerned about him, but Maile came in feeling good Thursday.
“I think he’s going to be OK,” Francona said. “Really worried about him last night but he said his jaw is really sore but, and I’m not making light of it, but I’d much rather have him have a sore jaw that have something happen a little higher.”
Doing the Derby – Jose Ramirez, who has been playing through a sore thumb, will represent the Guardians in the All-Star Home Run Derby Monday night in Los Angeles.
“I think there’s always a little bit of hesitancy on our part because of what he means to us but then when you sit back about five seconds later ad you’re like, ‘Hey what this guy means to us,’ he has earned the right,” Francona said. “He asked which I thought was really respectful.
“I told him, ‘If it’s something you really want to do, we support you.’”
Stretch time – Owen Miller spent time Thursday afternoon following batting practice working with third base coach Mike Sarbaugh on stretching while fielding throws at first base.
“One is when the ball is hit, trying to get him familiar with where to go without having to think his way through it,” Francona said. “There’s been a number of times when it’s hit, and he’ll take off and he catches himself.”
Sarbaugh is also trying to get Miller to adjust his fielding form, which Francona admitted will take time.
“He’s done it [that way] all his life so it’s not the easiest thing,” Francona said.
Roster moves – In addition to placing Civale on the IL, the Guardians made several moves prior to Thursday’s opener with the Tigers.
Tanner Tully was promoted from Triple-A Columbus, Kirk McCarty was claimed off waivers from the Orioles and sent to Triple-A, Oscar Mercado cleared waivers and was sent to Columbus and Alex Young was designated for assignment.