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Cleveland Indians: Trevor Bauer being sent to the bullpen

By Nick Ziegler

Oct 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Indians made a shocking move on Wednesday, as they decided to move Trevor Bauer to the bullpen to start the season.

This spring, Trevor Bauer has been pitching very well for the Indians, as he has totaled a 2.25 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 20 innings of work. Despite the good spring, the Indians have decided that they will be going with Josh Tomlin and Cody Anderson in the rotation to start the season.

Bauer has been rather unimpressive as a starter at the big league level, as he has an ERA of 4.50 in his career. Last season wasn’t a very good one for the third overall pick in the 2011 MLB amateur draft, as he totaled an 11-12 record with a 4.55 ERA.

While the move to the bullpen is surprising, Bauer may be best suited in that role as he does have a good ability to strike batters out. Bauer strikes out an impressive 8.5 batters per nine innings in his career, a number will surely increase when he moves to the bullpen.

After failing to meet expectations last season, the Indians will be trying to rebound in 2016, and both Tomlin and Anderson will be looking to duplicate what they did in 2015 as starting pitchers. Tomlin was able to total a 7-2 record with a 3.02 ERA, while Anderson compiled a 7-3 record with a 3.05 ERA.

With talented pitchers like Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Danny Salazar at the top of the rotation, Tomlin and Anderson could round out one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. For Bauer, it is certainly disappointing that he won’t be in the starting rotation, but he may find more success in the bullpen than as a starter if he accepts the role.

If Tomlin or Anderson slip up in the early months of the season, Bauer will be ready to take his spot back in the rotation, as he can’t let this demotion affect him.

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