CLEVELAND — According to manager Manny Acta, there is only one spot available in the Indians’ rotation next year.
Acta said right-handers Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Tomlin, and even Fausto Carmona have starting spots locked up for 2012, which means right-handers, Carlos Carrasco, Jeanmar Gomez and Mitch Talbot, and left-hander David Huff, will vie for the final job.
“That’s pretty much it,” Acta said. “The other guys are in the mix and they’ll fight for that last spot.”
Though Acta named Carmona, there is no guarantee the right-hander, who finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting in 2007, will be back. The Indians own club options in 2012 ($7 million), 2013 ($9 million) and 2014 ($12 million) on Carmona, who has been inconsistent this season, going 7-15 with a 5.23 ERA in 31 starts.
Acta also left open the option of the Indians acquiring a starting pitcher in the offseason.
“Why not? Maybe,” he said. “You can never have enough pitching.”
Entering Thursday, Cleveland’s starting pitchers ranked 10th in the AL with a 4.43 ERA.
Back in business
All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the lineup after missing a game with a mid-back strain. Entering Thursday, Cabrera had played in 146 games — the second-most behind Carlos Santana’s 148.
Off and on
Acta said he will continue to platoon designated hitters Jim Thome and Travis Hafner for the remainder of the season, meaning each would play every other day.
Hafner was in the lineup Thursday.
“Hafner could hit three homers (Thursday) and Thome is still playing (Friday),” Acta said.
Next up
The Indians complete the final homestand of the season with a four-game series against Minnesota that begins tonight at 7:05.
Justin Masterson (12-10, 3.15 ERA) opens the set for Cleveland, opposing RHP Carl Pavano (8-13, 4.40).
David Huff (2-6, 4.20) starts for the Indians in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Saturday (1:05 p.m.), while the Twins counter with LHP Scott Diamond (1-5, 4.81). Mitch Talbot (2-6, 6.33) starts the nightcap (7:05) for Cleveland, but Minnesota has yet to name a pitcher.
Carmona (7-15, 5.23) goes in the series finale Sunday (1:05 p.m.) against RHP Liam Hendriks (0-2, 6.23).
Roundin’ third
Thome and Chicago’s Omar Vizquel, teammates and fan favorites in Cleveland from 1994-2002, exchanged the lineup cards prior to the game. The Indians will hold a special ceremony for Thome prior to tonight’s game in commemoration of his 600th homer. He is Cleveland’s all-time home run leader with 336. … The Baldwin-Wallace College marching band performed the national anthem. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
