In an eminently welcome development, Indians manager Terry Francona announced today in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that his club plans to activate right-hander Carlos Carrasco from the injured list when rosters expand on Sunday (Twitter link, with audio). Carrasco has been sidelined since late May after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Carrasco, 32, still has to come through one more bullpen session before the club makes the move, per Francona, but the organization’s plan is to reinstate him Sunday. He’ll be utilized out of the bullpen over the season’s final month and into the postseason, should Cleveland qualify.
A return to a general state of well-being for Carrasco obviously supersedes the potential on-field benefit he brings to the club, but the impact of a healthy Carrasco also can’t be understated for the Cleveland organization. Carrasco wasn’t anywhere near his typical form earlier in 2019 but still posted excellent K/BB numbers through 12 starts before stepping away from the game due to his medical situation. He’ll now join the back end of Francona’s bullpen as a potential bullpen weapon with an opportunity to make a significant impact on the Indians’ postseason race; Cleveland currently sits 3.5 games behind Minnesota in the AL Central and holds a half-game lead over Oakland and Tampa Bay in the Wild Card race.
Looking beyond 2019, Carrasco will surely be a focal part of the pitching staff so long as he remains in good health. The right-hander inked an extension last offseason and is signed through the 2022 season at a total of $37.25MM. The Indians also hold a $14MM club option on him for the 2023 season.
There are no words for this. I just want to stand up, clap and cheer for this man. How he has come back during the same season in which he was diagnosed with leukemia is mind boggling to me. Heroic.
I agree. Great news for Carlos. I stand, we all stand for Cookie!
I am a die hard Braves fan and I hope the Braves win it all this year. That being said I think the best thing for baseball right now would be for the only team that hasn’t won a championship in over 70 years to win it all led by a WS MVP ace starting pitcher who was diagnosed with leukemia, went through the horrors of chemotherapy and then beat all the odds to come back to win the championship for his team all in the same year. Here’s to you Cookie! I am rooting for a 1995 rematch. I know the Cleveland fans want their revenge.
Phenomenal news. Thank God he has been able to get healthy and continue his playing. What a blessing. I’ll be rooting for him.
Thank the Doctors and Carlos’ strength instead.
Glad to hear, great news for cookie, a great person and pitcher.
I am a bit curious, with the article on mlb.com the other day saying Rodriguez might be added to the bullpen, Kluber may still make it back, Zimmer might be added, Ortero and Olsen…. my math says that’s five from the 60 day IL…that’s great, but that’s a lot of spots to make room for
This is not the time for
that. This is the time
for rejoicing!
At no time did I say I wasn’t happy about that it, I’m one of his biggest fans. But this is the time to figure that out, and btw this is the forum to ask that question.
Stephens, Edwards, Smith and Hentges would be the 4 I’d cut lose to make room for Zimmer, Kluber, Rodriguez and Carrasco.
Olson is only on the 10 day IL and Otero would be let go IMO, but we all know how loyal to a fault Tito can be.
No way they give up on Hentges now. AJ Cole, Maton and Olson are all more likely than Hentges.
You’re right, Marin it is!
Good luck Carlos!
Can I get a hell yeah??? Best dude, heroic comeback!!!
Also a Domino’s Pizza Hall of Famer! lol