After being diagnosed with leukemia earlier this season, the Cleveland Indians are set to activate Carlos Carrasco.
Carlos Carrasco has been away from the big league club for roughly three months after he received the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. This activation is pending a successful start for Carrasco with the Cleveland Indians Triple-A affiliate, Columbus Clippers on Thursday.
Carrasco has had an up-and-down season as many of Cleveland’s pitchers have. He and ace Corey Kluber have missed significant time this year on the IL.
To be honest seeing someone who was earlier diagnosed with leukemia return the same season he was diagnosed, is frankly amazing.
Indians manager Terry Francona confirmed Carrasco will be used out of the bullpen initially when he is activated Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
After a long and scary journey, Carlos Carrasco will be activated on Sunday.
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) August 28, 2019
🎙️Terry Francona🎙️
@Indians | #Indians | #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/IKZRQSOgBn
Carrasco is one of the emotional leaders of this team and they could use everything they can get. They are in a battle with the Oakland Athletics and the Rays for the two American League Wild Card spots.
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The Indians are currently in the first Wild Card spot, 1 and 1/2 games ahead of the A’s and 2 and 1/2 games ahead of the Rays. This is the perfect time for him to come back. He can get some experience and then be ready to make maybe a few starts before the playoffs come.
He will be joining a stellar pitching staff who has relied on the likes of Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber after trading away Trevor Bauer.
Carrasco so far this season is 4-6 in 12 starts with a 4.98 ERA and 79 strikeouts. This is not quite the norm for him as for his career he has a 3.78 ERA with 1,206 strikeouts in his 10th Major League season.
I don’t know about you, but I am rooting for Carlos Carrasco to make some noise for the Cleveland Indians late in the season. It is one of those feel good stories having him return this season. I look forward to seeing him on the mound this weekend.