Longo sent down to minor-league camp

The Indians reassigned Mayfield graduate Mitch Longo to minor-league camp to get more at-bats as he prepares to join Columbus or Akron. Jeff Schudel also reports on pitchers on the mend.

Mitch Longo was one of 13 non-roster invitees to the Indians spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., reassigned March 11 to the Tribe’s minor league camp.

Indians manager Terry Francona promised the invitees would get playing opportunities in Cactus League games, and that is exactly what happened for Longo, a Mayfield High School graduate and a 14thround draft pick by the Indians in 2016.

Longo, a left fielder with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks last season, appeared in 14 Cactus League games this spring. He had 19 at-bats and hit safely seven times (.368) with four singles and three doubles. He scored five runs and stole one base. He did not homer or drive in any runs. He walked twice and struck out three times.

The Indians started spring training with nine outfielders on their 40man roster. Of that group Tyler Naquin (knee) and Oscar Mercado (wrist) are recovering from injuries. The Indians are likely to break camp with a maximum of five outfielders on their 26man opening day roster.

Where Longo, 25, plays next will be determined later this month, a team spokesman said. He could be elevated to Triple-A Columbus or be sent back to Akron, where he might get more playing time than if he were with the Clippers.

Five pitchers and eight position players were demoted.

“They all want to get hits,” Indians manager Terry Francona told reporters, speaking about the players sent down as a group. “Pitchers want to get people out. They’re going to go play their season. But we enjoyed getting to know them, because that does help us.

“We told the position players, getting one at-bat over the next 11 days doesn’t help them get ready for the season.”

In other Tribe news, starting pitcher Carlos

Carrasco was able to escape serious injury for the second time since spring training began a month ago.

Carrasco was bothered by a sore right leg early in camp. That turned out to just be a hip flexor strain that sidelined him less than two weeks before he pitched in a game again.

Carrasco was bothered by a sore right elbow in his throwing arm after returning from the hip injury. The Indians suspected the discomfort was caused by inflammation and an MRI confirmed that diagnosis. Carrasco was given an injection on March 11.

“With Carlos, we did get good news on the MRI,” team president Chris Antonetti told reporters covering spring training. “But there is some inflammation in there, so we just need to try to slow that down a little bit, give him some time to be symptom-free and then ramp up his throwing from there. Given the amount of time before opening day, it could be a stretch for him to be ready on time.”

The Indians open their 2020 season March 26 at Progressive Field in a game with the Tigers. Francona on March 6 named Shane Bieber the opening day starter.

Mike Clevinger is making his way back from Feb. 14 knee surgery, but he might not be ready until early to mid-April according to the recovery timeline of six to eight weeks announced after his surgery. That timeline is still in place. Antonetti told reporters.

“I think the way we feel about it is — and this is with every player — we want to get him healthy and not put an artificial deadline of opening day,” Francona said. “It just doesn’t seem to make sense. If (Carrasco) ends up making 34 instead of 35 starts because he was a week late, we’re going to do the right thing, regardless. I don’t think any of us know quite yet what that is. You’ve heard me say it before: We have to do the right thing, not just when it’s convenient.”

Adam Plutko, Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale will be the next three pitchers in line for the Tribe after Bieber while Clevinger and Carrasco continue to mend. A fifth spot would likely go to Jefry Rodriguez or Logan Allen.

Longo