Cleveland Indians: Carlos Carrasco Heads to the Disabled List

Carrasco hits 15-day DL with sore shoulder

Not that it’s been a great season, but the Cleveland Indians pitching has been one of the few constants in this season. The No. 5 spot has been a bit of a grab bag, but the first four have taken the ball every fifth day. That will be no longer the case as Carlos Carrasco heads to the 15-day DL a sore shoulder. An MRI on Tuesday came out clean, but the Indians needed to make a corresponding move for Cody Anderson who was to take Carrasco’s start Wednesday.

Indians’ skipper Terry Francona said that Carrasco seemed fine in his side session, but experienced a little bit of stiffness afterwards. “Watching him throw his bullpen yesterday, he’s OK, he’s just a little bit stiff after,” Francona said before Tuesday’s game, per MLB.com. Carrasco isn’t expected to miss any more than the minimum 15 days.

While the MRI did come out clean, shoulder issues are always a concern. Josh Tomlin hasn’t been great in the No. 5 spot but has been adequate. Tonight’s starter Anderson pitched well in that role early on before struggling and eventually heading to the DL himself. The Indians would be smart not to rush Carrasco back, who has had a stellar year at 12-9 with a 3.53 ERA. In his last five starts, he’s gone the distance twice and at least seven innings if four of the five while striking out at least seven each start.

The hope is Carrasco will be able to return from the DL after his 15 days, and at that point rosters will have expanded and no one will need to be sent down. With a bullpen that has been anything but reliable, the Tribe has relied on their starters to keep them in ballgames. The loss of Carrasco–even if just for a couple of starts–isn’t going to help matters any for this team down the stretch.

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