Carrasco day to day with strained hip flexor

The Indians got some not-toobad news concerning a right leg injury to starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco.

The Indians got some not-toobad news on Feb. 21 concerning a right leg injury to starting righthanded pitcher Carlos Carrasco.

Carrasco, 32, is listed day to day with a strained right hip flexor. The diagnosis means he should be fine before the Indians open the regular season March 26 at Progressive Field in a game with the Chicago White Sox.

Carrasco felt discomfort in his right leg while squatting during a workout Feb. 19 at the Indians spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz.

He walked into the clubhouse the next morning leaning on a crutch under his left arm, according to reports from Goodyear.

Tests and an MRI were performed on Carrasco’s leg the morning of Feb. 20. The Indians sent the results to a specialist in Los Angeles and got the report back Feb. 21.

The fact Carrasco will not be sidelined long comes as a relief to the Indians. They are already without starting pitcher Mike Clevinger,

who underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery Feb. 14 after suffering an injury during a workout Feb. 12. Clevinger is expected to return early to mid-April.

Carrasco missed three months last year battling leukemia. He returned in September and made 11 relief appearances, but the plan the whole offseason was for him to be a starter again.

Fortunately for the Indians, depth in the starting rotation is a strength,

but that would be strained without Clevinger and Carrasco for an extended period.

“You find out when you need it, because if you don’t have it, it hurts,” Manager Terry Francona told reporters covering spring training. “How many times have you heard me say, ‘When you think you have enough pitching, go get more?’” If you’re in a situation where you have to aggravate a pitcher because you have too many good ones, that’s

not the worst problem.”

The Indians starting rotation without Clevinger or Carrasco would include Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac, Adam Plutko and Aaron Civale as the top four starters. Jefry Rodriquez, Scott Moss and Logan Allen would be in a battle for the fifth spot.

Rodriguez is scheduled to start the Cactus League opener Feb. 22 when the Indians meet the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.