CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Indians activated staring pitcher Zach Plesac from the injured list prior to his scheduled start Thursday night against Kansas City.
Plesac is scheduled to throw “60ish” pitches against the Royals according to manager Terry Francona as the Indians look to end a nine-game losing streak, the longest for the club since 2012.
“I think that’s a fair neighborhood,” Francona said.
Plesac, who just completed a rehab stint at Akron, broke his right thumb on May 23 at Minnesota when he banged it on a chair while taking off his shirt after he allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings.
“He’s been exemplary in his work, which isn’t surprising,” Francona said. “We knew he wanted to pitch right away for us. I think we have an obligation to make sure guys can compete with health and not hurt themselves so there’s a reason we had him go twice [at Akron].”
In 10 starts this season Plesac is 4-3 with a 4.14 ERA. He pitched 4 2/3 innings combined over two rehab starts at Akron where he allowed four runs – three earned – with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.
To make room for Plesac, right-hander J.C. Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.
“This allows us to have him for game four coming out of the [All-Star] break if that’s the way we want to go,” Francona said.
Check yourself – The Indians current slide is the longest under Francona since he took over as manager.
Francona has led by example with his steady approach daily and not getting caught up in the moment – good or bad – but he admitted the streak has been challenging to maintain that consistency.
“We try to check ourselves first and foremost,” Francona said. “If we react to something during the game that maybe we wouldn’t normally react to, that’s going to send the wrong message that ‘Hey, it’s getting to all of us.’ Being consistent is huge. Trying to be upbeat, but upbeat for the right reasons, still be there for guys when they hustle and run balls our or they line out and they get frustrated but at the same time correcting things that need corrected but not beating guys over the head just because we’re frustrated.”
No break – Francona will head to Colorado following Sunday’s game for the All Star festivities after he was invited by Rays manager Kevin Cash to be a member of the American League coaching staff.
“Part of me wanted the rest but it was such an honor and I know I will have a ball watching him do his thing – him and his staff,” Francona said.
Welcome back – Triston McKenzie will be recalled from Columbus to start game two of the series Friday night and the reports on the young right-hander from Triple-A were positive.
“It sounds like his strike throwing, balls in the zone were better,” Francona said. “It’s not at the ML level, but that’s where he was pitching. You’d rather see improvement as opposed to not.”
Up next – Series with the Royals continues Friday night – RHP Triston McKenzie (1-3, 6.38) vs. RHP Brad Keller (6-9, 6.39)
