The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Carrasco throws simulation
The pitches looked fast and sharp as Carlos Carrasco took the next step on the way back to the Indians’ roster.
The pitches looked fast and sharp as Carlos Carrasco took the next step on the way back to the Indians’ roster at Classic Park on Aug. 16.
Carrasco, on the injured list since June 6 with a condition later diagnosed as chronic myeloid leukemia, threw to hitters for the equivalent of two innings at the home of the Captains, the Indians’ full-season Single-A affiliate.
The 32-year-old right-hander faced Captains outfielders Hosea Nelson, Quentin Holmes and Billy Wilson. Josh Rolette of the Captains was the catcher.
Among the interested observers of Carrasco’s first simulated were Indians minor-league pitching coordinator Ruben Niebla, assistant director of player development/pitching Matt Blake and Captains manager Luke Carlin.
“It feels great,” Carrasco told reporters.
“After two-and-a-half months not throwing, just throwing today was unbelievable. Fastball, curveball, change-up, slider, all the pitches were there.”
Doctors cleared Carrasco to begin workouts in July. He’s thrown three bullpen sessions, the most recent at Progressive Field on Aug. 13 before the Indians played the Red Sox.
“Overall, I feel better than before, great,” Carrasco said of his general health. “They (doctors) gave me the green light to do whatever I want to do.”
What he would most like to do, Carrasco said with a smile, is return to the active roster and help the second-place Indians overtake the first-place Twins in the race for the American League Central Division title.
“I wish I had an answer to that,” Carrasco said when asked if he had a sense when he might rejoin the Indians. “We’ll take it day by day. I don’t think it is far away. We’ll see how I feel (Aug. 17) and take it from there.”
The probable next step for the veteran of nine-plus seasons with the Indians is a rehab appearance with one of the Indians’ minorleague affiliates.
Carrasco said many a text message has been exchanged between him and Corey Kluber, the two-time Cy Young Award winner for the Indians who is close to returning after suffering a broken right forearm in a game against Miami on May 1.
The work of replacement starters Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac and Adam Plutko has caught Carrasco’s eyes.
“It’s unbelievable how these young guys have come in and done their jobs. When we come back, the team will be even greater,” Carrasco said of himself and Kluber.
Carrasco also expressed gratitude for the support he’s received from teammates, the Indians’ front office, his family, friends and fans since the leukemia diagnosis.
In 12 starts this season, Carrasco is 4-6 with a 4.95 ERA. His career record with the Indians in 83-68 with a 3.78 ERA.
“Overall, I feel better than before, great.” — Carlos Carrasco