Carrasco delivering after limited spring work

Coming out of spring training, the Indians admitted there was a bit of concern about how ready Carlos Carrasco was to start the season and handle a starter’s workload. But there were no worries about his stuff or how the ball was coming out of his hand.

He has proved why the club wasn’t worried about the latter part. Through seven starts this season, Carrasco has pitched like an ace, which has come at a particularly good time, given Corey Kluber’s inclusion on the 10-day disabled list because of a back strain.

Carrasco is in the top six in the American League in ERA (1.86, fourth) and strikeouts (46, sixth). And his 0.77 walks and hits per inning pitched is the best mark in baseball.

Carrasco has put up those numbers while being slowly stretched out to start the season after he was limited in spring training with elbow discomfort. The Indians opted to keep Carrasco in the rotation despite limiting him to roughly 85 pitches in early April.

Manager Terry Francona said that whatever workload Carrasco could give them would probably be better than what most teams were getting out of a No. 2 starting pitcher.

Catching fire

Yan Gomes could finally be heating up at the plate. He began the season on a dreadful note, but in his past 15 games, he is hitting .384, raising his overall batting average to .246 from .067 on April 16.