Injuries force Tribe to shuffle rotation

By Ryan Lewis

Akron Beacon Journal (TNS)

CLEVELAND

The losses of Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar from the Indians’ starting rotation have effectively elevated every healthy starting pitcher not named Corey Kluber up a rung or two.

The Indians enter today leading the Detroit Tigers by seven games in the American League Central. Their magic number is at seven games with 13 to play. So, barring a dramatic collapse the last two weeks, they are barreling toward their first division title since 2007.

Looking ahead to October, the injuries to those two starting pitchers will be the primary question regarding the Indians’ chances to advance to their first World Series since 1997.

Kluber remains the ace of the staff, and a needed workhorse. Should Salazar — rehabbing from a strained forearm — not be ready for the beginning of the postseason, Trevor Bauer is likely to start Game 2 of any series. That leaves Josh Tomlin as the probable starter for a Game 3, with Mike Clevinger the most likely candidate if a fourth starter is needed.

Tomlin was recently taken out of the rotation after an abysmal August that sent him and the club searching for answers. With a healthy staff, Tomlin was looking to be the No. 5 starter in a four-man playoff rotation. And as of a few weeks ago, the team was hoping to keep Clevinger in the bullpen.

Now, after losing Carrasco and potentially Salazar, both could be key pieces to the Indians’ hopes in October.

Clevinger has been building up his pitch count his last three outings, increasing from 43 to 62 to 85 pitches. He’s now a part of the next-man-up mentality the Indians have looked to own the last several weeks.

“Obviously we know it’s going to be a little bit more of a challenge here, more pressure, more is put on your plate,” Clevinger said. “But I think everyone here is ready to go at anytime. . This has been a wild ride. Everything from Marlon Byrd to this stuff happening now, it’s been eye opening.”

In the short run, the Indians are just trying to get through September. They continue their homestand with three-game series against the Kansas City Royals from today to Thursday and then the Chicago White Sox this weekend.

According to Indians manager Terry Francona, Tomlin is slated to pitch tonight, followed by Kluber. Clevinger will then start Thursday’s game, with Bauer slotting into Friday’s game.

Saturday’s game against the White Sox is when the Indians again have to get creative. Cody Anderson is currently expected to make that start, though it will be another “bullpen game,” as he won’t be able to lengthen out to the fifth or sixth inning just yet.