Cleveland loses key arms

MILLER, SALAZAR NOW SIDELINED

The Indians have asked their next-door neighbours for some help in treating Andrew Miller’s sore knee. With the All-Star reliever back on the disabled list with tendinitis, the defending AL champions have reached out to the Cavaliers to see if there is something more they can do with a condition more common in NBA players.

“Really the best diagnosis is rest,” Indians manager Terry Francona said before Tuesday’s game against Boston. “I don’t think Andrew or us really wants to just let it be. He wants to see if he can be proactive as he’s been. And we’ll see where that leads.”

The Indians absorbed a double blow, as not only did Miller go back on the disabled list for the second time in 20 days, but starter Danny Salazar was placed on the 10day DL with a stiff elbow.

Salazar, who has been dominant in the second half since returning from a DL stint, was scheduled to undergo an MRI. At this point, the Indians don’t seem to think Salazar’s injury is anything more than stiffness.

“I don’t know who pitches now in August who doesn’t feel something,” Francona said.

Ryan Merritt will make Salazar’s next start on Friday against Kansas City. Josh Tomlin, who has been out with a strained left hamstring, will make a rehab start and potentially take Salazar’s spot in the rotation.

Arguably the most indispensable player on Cleveland’s roster, Miller made just seven pitches — all fastballs — in Monday night’s win before taking himself out. The left-hander was making his second appearance since being activated from the DL on Friday.

Miller said the Indians’ medical team is gathering as much information as possible before deciding the course of treatment. He said the soreness is not in a spot where it can be treated with a cortisone injection.