CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Indians left-hander Sam Hentges is on his way back to Triple-A Columbus as the team looks to get him back on track.
The move was needed to make room for Triston McKenzie to return from Columbus and start game two against the Royals Friday night but also allow Hentges to refine his repertoire on the mound.
“We talked to [Hentges] for quite a while because we didn’t want to just send hi down and send him on his way,” manager Terry Francona said prior to Friday night’s game. “We wanted to send him with a plan in place to try to use the time he’s in Triple-A, however long that ends up being, to his advantage so when he comes back, he’s better suited to succeed here.”
Hentges went 1-4 with an 8.23 ERA in eight starts for the Indians that saw him allow 62 hits and seven home runs in 42 2/3 innings of work. He walked 25 while striking out 44 and was charged with eight wild pitches.
Francona would like to see Hentges “hone in on his fastball” in Columbus while still using his breaking ball, which the Indians manager said is “really good.”
“To sustain and have some consistent success he’s going to have to learn to use his fastball, not just default to other pitches,” Francona said.
Part of that plan includes shortening his outings at the outset with the Clippers to allow him to work on doing just that.
“We were seeing him in spring training touching 97 and it was like, here, hit it and that has gotten away from him a little bit,” Francona said.
Hentges wasn’t pleased when he was sent down in the spring and was “irritated with us” according to Francona, but Friday night he was more receptive and understood the objective with the move this time.
“There’s a balance between trying to develop [someone] and having guys get beat up,” Francona said. “It’s not to beat guys over the head.
We want them to succeed but we don’t want to just send them on their way and hope they succeed. We want to try and help them along while knowing that they have to do it.”
Friday night lights – McKenzie, who has admitted struggling mentally with the crowds and big league stage at times during previous outings, will be tested on dollar dog and fireworks night, which typically draw well for the Indians at Progressive Field.
“I thought about asking our guys about not having the dollar dog night,” Francona joked. “We talked on the day we sent him down and those comments came after the game and were in the paper the next day. We as an organization have visited with him on a number of occasions but not necessarily to beat him over the head, just to try and help. I think that maybe is a microcosm of other things.”
Spark plug – Franmil Reyes’ return has been a shot in the arm for the club according to Francona, and it goes beyond the game-winning three-run homer he clubbed in the bottom of the ninth to end a nine-game losing streak.
“He gives a really good effort on the bases,” Francona said.
“I said, ‘That really brings a lot to our dugout as far as energy goes.’ That’s to me what leadership is.”
Priceless gift – With the news that former Major Leaguer Daisuke Matsuzaka is retiring from professional baseball, Francona was asked for his memories of Matsuzaka which elicited this hilarious story from the Indians and former Red Sox manager.
“I have a ton of memories,” Francona said. “I remember when we were kind of recruiting Daisuke, Theo Epstein, myself, John Henry and Tom Werner, we all flew to L.A. to kind of wine and dine him. And at the last minute they told me, ‘You know it’s customary to bring a present.’ So I ran to DICKS Sporting Goods and I got him a Tom Brady jersey. And when he opened [the presents] you could see it was like they were giving him Tiffany glass. When he opened [mine] I could see our owners look at me like, ‘What an idiot. What are you doing?’ I actually thought he might really enjoy it.
“I just remember how respectful he was. I told him, ‘You know some day you’re going to be comfortable enough you’re going to be sitting in an office and putting your feet up on the desk.’ I said, ‘It might not be now.’ I mean, he’s a really nice kid. I don’t think most people realize just how guys like he and Ichiro, how popular they are in Japan. It surprised me the media attention every day. I mean, it was a lot.”
The PTBNL – The Indians and Mariners completed their June 10th trade that sent Jake Bauers to Seattle.
Right-hander Damon Casetta-Stubbs was named the player to be named later from the Mariners.
The 2018 11th round draft pick is 3-3 with a 6.42 ERA, 58 strikeouts and 27 walks in nine starts this year for Low-A Modesto.
Injury updates – Aaron Civale has been playing catch and Shane Bieber was slated to be evaluated over the weekend. Bieber has graduated to throwing heavy balls for the first time Friday according to Francona.
Jordan Luplow is scheduled for live batting practice and if he gets through that will begin playing games in Arizona starting Monday for a week before moving to Triple-A for a rehab assignment.
Zach Plesac is scheduled to throw a simulated game Tuesday in Arizona and start the following Sunday for the Indians.
Up next – Game three of the series with the Royals is Saturday evening at 6:10: RHP Cal Quantrill vs. LHP Mike Minor (6-7, 5.36).
