Cleveland Indians: Danny Salazar to start season on DL

On Monday evening, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona announced that Danny Salazar will start the season on the DL, allowing Mike Clevinger to earn a spot in the starting rotation.

For Cleveland Indians fans this will sound like a broken record, but Danny Salazar is on the disabled list once again. Manager Terry Francona announced on Monday evening that Salazar would start the season on the DL.

There are a lot of ways to take this if you’re an Indians fan. For one; it’ll be nice to see Mike Clevinger start the season in the rotation for the Tribe. Last season, he developed into one of the best young pitchers in the league with a 12 win season. For fans however; the offseason trade rumors will remain in the back of their heads.

During the offseason, Salazar was linked to trade rumors with the Rays and Cubs. Those rumors linked the Tribe to Kyle Schwarber and Chris Archer. Should Salazar not return before the trade deadline with good play to back up his value, not acting on those trades could come back to bite the Indians.

Related Story: Salazar's shoulder issue has big effect on club

Salazar will be two years removed from his 2016 All-Star game vote this summer. (A game that he missed due to injury.) But when he is healthy he has proven to be a strong arm in the middle of the rotation.

Last season was not Salazar’s strong point by any means. He ended the year with a 4.28 ERA and only five wins in 23 appearances. Salazar did have a strong outing going seven innings in his return from the DL against Toronto.

He followed that up with a win against the White Sox. Danny Salazar is as useful to the Indians as anybody when he is healthy. His fastball will blow any batter away especially in the bat-heavy AL. But he hasn’t been healthy since 2015.

It is looking like when he does return from the DL he will likely start in the bullpen barring an unforeseen bad start for another Indians starter.

Next: Clevinger earns spot in rotation

The Indians still have plenty of depth in their rotation. Having pitchers like Kluber, Carrasco, and Bauer help that. But should an injury occur, the Tribe may miss Danny Salazar and his fastball.