CLEVELAND — The Indians got positive news on the Carlos Carrasco front Tuesday.
The right-hander, who left his last start with tightness in his pitching elbow, underwent an MRI Monday that revealed no structural damage.
Carrasco (1-1, 4.97 ERA) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today, and if there are no problems, is expected to start on his regular turn Saturday against Detroit.
“We’re very relieved,” said manager Manny Acta, who is already without one of the members of his opening-day rotation, with right-hander Mitch Talbot on the DL with an elbow strain. “The way he’s been throwing the ball and the big part of our future that he is, it was great news.”
Carrasco lasted just three innings in his last start Sunday in Minnesota — a 4-3 loss to the Twins. With his elbow tight, Carrasco’s velocity sank, something he also experienced last year with Triple-A Columbus.
He left an outing prematurely for the Clippers (July 20) with elbow tightness, but did not miss his next start. The Indians are hopeful the same scenario plays out this year.
Starting pitching has been a big part of the Indians’ success to start the season, the rotation ranking fifth in the American League with a combined 3.78 ERA through Monday.
“I think our starting pitching and defense have been the biggest part,” Acta said. “We know it’s early, but these guys have pitched unbelievably well. Is it going to happen that way for the rest of the season? That’s probably unrealistic, but these guys have been great.”
Big league Choo
Acta still isn’t worried about slump-ridden Shin-Soo Choo, who entered Tuesday batting just .207 with two home runs, 10 RBIs and a team-leading 22 strikeouts in 21 games.
“I’m not concerned at all,” Acta said. “We’re playing well as a team. That’s all that matters. Batting average is not everything. He’s done a lot of things to help us win. He’ll be there at the end of the season. It’s only been three weeks.
“If by the All-Star break Choo is hitting .200, I’ll be concerned.”
The man hitting behind Choo in the order is also slumping. Catcher Carlos Santana was hitting just .200 through Monday, but like Choo, had contributed in other ways, reaching base in 10 straight games.
Minor details
Right-hander Alex White continued his impressive start to the season, getting his first win Monday after allowing just one run on five hits, while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings of Columbus’ 6-1 Game 1 victory over Indianapolis. White, Cleveland’s first-round draft choice (15th overall) in 2009, is 1-0 with a 1.90 ERA in four starts for the Clippers. Acta said Tuesday that he expected the 22-year-old right-hander to make his major league debut this season. … Left-hander Drew Pomeranz allowed a run on three hits (one homer), while striking out five in three innings of advanced Class A Kinston’s 7-3 loss to Salem on Monday. Pomeranz, the Indians’ first-round draft choice (fifth overall) last year, does not have a decision in four starts for Kinston, posting a 2.00 ERA and striking out 27 in 18 innings. … Lakewood St. Edward product, catcher Alex Lavisky, entered Tuesday batting .214 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 14 games for Class A Lake County.
Roundin’ third
Entering Tuesday, Grady Sizemore was batting .357 (10-for-28) with two homers and five RBIs in seven games since being activated from the disabled list. … Dating back to last season, reliever Rafael Perez had not allowed a run in his last 19 appearances (14 innings) through Monday. … The Indians entered Tuesday as the only team in the majors yet to throw a runner out stealing (0-for-12). Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM. Tomlin (3-0, 2.33) vs. Francis (0-2, 4.06).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Twitter and Facebook.
