The injury bug has not just taken a bite, but taken a chunk out of the Indians roster just as they started to find their hot streak. With so many crucial names now on the disabled list, it leaves many wondering how this could affect the rest of the road to, and through October.
In just the last two days, three Indians players have been placed on the DL for varying reasons. In game one of the Boston series All Star reliever Andrew Miller walked off the mound in the seventh inning after only throwing seven pitches (2 of the 7 for strikes) that just grazed above 90mph. Catcher Roberto Perez noted after Monday’s win that he knew something wasn’t right with the lefty just by his lack of usual velocity. Miller walked Mookie Betts before walking off the mound into foul territory towards the Indians dugout where Terry Francona officially pulled him from the game. Monday was Miller’s second outing since returning to Cleveland from the DL, where his last relief appearance dated back to August 1st. Miller was officially placed on the 10-day DL due to patella tendonitis, not a common injury for baseball players, but an injury that could affect a pitcher’s mechanics if it flares up. No word yet on when he will return to the Tribe, however this could be a blessing in disguise for Cleveland, giving their not-so-secret-weapon, the rest needed before the postseason.
Not even an inning later, in the top of the seventh, 1B Carlos Santana was taken out of the game for lower back pain that he seemed to have tweaked earlier in the game on a play to first. Santana has not spent any time on the DL this season, one of few Indians starters to avoid it, and has not officially been put on the list. Currently the Indians are taking it day by day with him, expecting for Santana to be back in the game by the end of the week. Luckily, to the relief of Tito, newly acquired Jay Bruce stated that he has had playtime at first and took over the position to finish the game.
The third Tribe member to make his way to the dreaded list, starter Danny Salazar, who like Miller, had recently come back to the rotation off the DL. Danny was first placed there on June 4th for a sore right shoulder and did not return until July 22nd. Out of the gate, Salazar looked like he was back to his old self, going 32.1 innings, striking out 46, and posting a promising 1.39 ERA before his Sunday start against the Royals. Again, along with Miller, Danny was again put on the 10-day DL now for right elbow inflammation, which could explain his sudden drop in production.
Because of these moves, RHP Shawn Armstrong and INF/OF Yandy Diaz were recalled from triple-A Columbus before Tuesday’s game.
Other injuries to note regarding the Indians, 2B Jason Kipnis, who has been dealing with a nagging hamstring issue throughout the season, starter Josh Tomlin and outfielders Lonnie Chisenhall, Abraham Almonte and Michael Brantley.
Kipnis has been taken out a few times since officially returning from the DL in early August for this reoccurring issue, most recently in Tuesday night’s game in the fourth inning. Because he has gone back and forth from the playing field to the dugout, it would not surprise me if the Indians put him back on the DL once again in the near future. This would open up the door even wider to show off the potential for 3B Giovanny Urshela, who would continue to take over the 3B duties while MIF Jose Ramirez defends second. Ramirez just narrowly avoided the DL himself after getting hit by a pitch in the hand and leaving the game over the weekend.
As for Lonnie, Brantley and Tomlin, the hope is that they will all be activated in the near future with the Indians about to turn the corner into September. Chisenhall came off the DL, however instead of coming back only to leave again, was automatically put on paternity leave while his family expects a new little one in the coming days. Almonte is also expected to return sometime around September 1st, after being placed on the DL August 18th due to a hamstring strain and then was hit by a pitch in a simulated game August 21st.
Brantley is trying to make his way back after being taken out during the Rockies series for a sprained ankle, the same ankle that placed him on the DL earlier in the season. It was this situation that set the Indians front office in motion to snag former Mets OF Jay Bruce for pitching prospect Ryder Ryan and the rest of Bruce’s contract ($3.7 million). Bruce is a free agent after the 2017 season.
Tomlin is expected to start his rehab stint on Friday, no word yet with which minor league team. He had been placed on the DL due to a left hamstring strain at the end of July, coming up just as the team had settled on the idea to see how far they could push a 6-man starting rotation. After losing Tomlin, the Indians recalled reliever Tyler Olsen back up to Cleveland to add depth to the then slim bullpen.
Lucky for the Indians, their minor leagues are stacked with guys who have the ability to fill the cleats of their major league brethren. This could be very important as the Indians get ready for that final push into the playoffs, giving them the option to rest their main guys without having to worry too much about the standard of game play.
Also good to note, it seems as a squad the Indians play at their best when they’re compensating for the loss of one of their starters, not to say it’s a preferable situation, but it is a boost of confidence to see this team pick itself up over falling apart. The injury bug can make a team more vulnerable than anything, showing their holes in an order or their weaknesses on the mound. With every name that’s been added to the list, Cleveland has become more resilient and driven, similar to how they came off just a year ago.
*** Update: After an MRI early Wednesday showed a right hamstring strain and/or possible scar tissue, Jason Kipnis was placed on the 10-day DL. Erik Gonzalez recalled from triple A. Also, Andrew Miller will see a Cavs’ doctor regarding his patella tendonitis. No word yet on either player’s return.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
