After stellar first half, Karinchak in minors

Cleveland reliever James Karinchak, who was 6-2 with a 2.52 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 391⁄3 innings over 41 games at the AllStar break, was sent to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday after his secondhalf troubles continued Friday when he failed to retire a batter in a loss to Boston.

Karinchak is 1-2 with an 8.40 ERA and nine strikeouts in 15 innings over 18 games since the All-Star break, which roughly coincides with Major League Baseball’s crackdown on sticky substances used by pitchers.

“I can’t speak for James and specifically what he feels,” Indians pitching coach Carl Willis said. “I don’t know exactly how he’s gone about things in terms of that throughout the season.

“I will say this: Sticky stuff, generally speaking, if it didn’t make a difference, they wouldn’t have made it illegal. But in his specific case, that’s something that you’d have to ask him.”

Polanco released: Pittsburgh outfielder Gregory Polanco, who helped the Pirates to postseason berths in 2013 to ’15, was designated for assignement.

Polanco, 29, is hitting .208 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs this season. In eight major-league seasons, he is hitting .241 with 96 homers, 362 RBIs and a .718 OPS.

“To Gregory’s credit, the way he handled it was so professional and so understanding,” manager Derek Shelton said. “He understands what we’re doing as an organization, how we’re moving forward. I had a ton of respect for him (before and) I have even more respect for him now, for just the way he handled himself because it was not an easy conversation.”

Medical report: Mariners reliever Anthony Misiewicz was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a left forearm strain. Misiewicz’s absence leaves former A’s closer Sean Doolittle as the lone left-hander in Seattle’s bullpen . ... The list of players landing on the 10-day IL also includes Cardinals reliever Andrew Miller (foot blister), Cubs infielder David Bote (sprained ankle) and Mariners outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) . ... Among the players activated from the IL were Indians first baseman Bobby Bradley, Tigers pitcher Jose Ureña and Rays outfielder Jordan Luplow.

Briefly: Pitchers Jake Jewell and Ryan Meisinger were designated for assignment by the Cubs, who also promoted former A’s minor-league first baseman Alfonso Rivas from Triple-A Iowa . ... Tigers pitcher Ian Krol was designated for assignment.