Cleveland Indians recall P Carlos Carrasco

After a disastrous start to the 2013 season, Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco was relegated to the minor leagues. However, thanks to a shortage of arms in the bullpen, the 26-year-old may have a role again.

Carrasco was recalled by Cleveland on Friday, but the given reason for his ascension was a “tired” bullpen. That actually makes more sense than you would think, as Carrasco was (frankly) dreadful out of the starting rotation earlier in the year. Through 6 starts before being demoted, Carrasco had a staggeringly bad 9.10 ERA in 28.2 innings, and the peripherals weren’t encouraging either, as he barely struck out more hitters (4.71 per 9) than he walked (4.08 per 9).

This will be the first time in Carrasco’s professional career (majors or minors) that he will regularly come out of the bullpen. In the minors, he was a high strikeout pitcher, and it is certainly possible that he could regain that electricity in his “stuff” in shorter stints of time. The team shouldn’t lose much in relegating Preston Guilmet to the minors, and Carrasco’s upside is immediately higher than just about anyone in that bullpen.

It may not work, but I’m actually encouraged by this move from Cleveland. It is clear that Carrasco wasn’t going to help them in the rotation this season, and as they push toward a potential playoff run, it was time to get creative.