The Cleveland Indians have announced that newly acquired starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez will make his debut for the club Friday when they begin their weekend series against the Rangers.
Jimenez was added to the Indians’ rotation this Saturday but Cleveland paid a heavy price for the 27 year old, surrendering two of its top pitching prospects in Drew Pomeranz and Alex White.
Questions surrounded the move as Jimenez hasn’t appeared to be worth the bounty the Indians paid in 2011. With the Rockies, Jimenez has posted an ERA of 4.46 and a 1.37 WHIP this season, hardly front of the rotation-like stats.
However, Cleveland wasn’t paying for Jimenez’s current numbers, but instead for past success and specifically his impressive 2010 that earned the righty serious Cy Young consideration. Jimenez is also under team control at a fairly affordable rate for the next several seasons.
Cleveland is certainly hoping that their investment pays off, and the club gets its first look at their new ace Friday in Texas.
The Rangers offense does not figure to offer the starter a warm welcoming to the AL, especially when Jimenez has to face them in Arlington. On the season, Texas ranks 3rd and 2nd in the league in runs scored (5 per game) and team batting average (.276).
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