Here is what you need to know:
(1) Mitch Talbot (2-6, 6.33) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back and Ezequiel Carrera (.250) has been added to the 25-man roster. This is almost definitely a short term stay for Zeke as Jeanmar Gomez (0-1, 4.91) will be recalled to start on Sunday. Gomez skipped the AAA All-Star game and threw four passable innings for Mahoning Valley last night, allowing a run on five hits with three K's. Another position player will likely be discarded on Monday (the Tribe currently has 15 on the 25-man) to make room for Zach McAllister's return to start one of the double header games against the Twins. Z-Mac (0-0, 4.50) tossed two scoreless innings for the International League as he got the start in the game that Jeanmar declined. Assuming that Austin Kearns (.212) saved his season with that home run last week, I would assume either Travis Buck (.256) or Shelley Duncan (.240) to get the boot.
(2) As suggested earlier in the week, Scott Barnes' season is likely over. The injury is currently described only as a sprain, but expect the organization to be overly cautious with the promising left hander. Here is a clip of the play during which Barnes (7-4, 3.68) sustained the injury.
(3) The shuffling of pitchers for the Clippers will give Adam Miller an excellent opportunity to take the next step in his unlikely return to prominence. Miller (1-2, 3.86) has now piled up 28 innings, one shy of his most since 2007.
(4) Injury Updates --
- Lonnie Chisenhall (.267) has deemed himself ready to go in tonight's series opener against the Orioles. The Chiz Kid is sporting a scab on his cheek and some serious red eye, but avoided a whole slew of more serious complications from a fastball to the face.
- Alex White (1-0, 3.60) threw about 20 fastballs in a bullpen session yesterday at the Prog. It was his first work off of a mound since landing on the disabled list with a finger injury in late May. White is entirely on track for an August return to action.
- Shin-Soo Choo (.244) had the final cast removed from his broken left hand earlier this week and x-rays revealed that all of the surgically inserted screws have remained in place. We will learn more on Choo's timetable for return after his follow-up visit tomorrow. Here's hoping his rehab brings him through Cow-Town.
(5) Over the past five seasons, the Indians are combined 187-177 (.514) in the second half. Applying this to the 73 games remaining for the Wahoos gives a record of 38-35 for the second half and a final tally of 85-77. Or exactly what I predicted when the season began. Will 85 wins be enough to take the Central? Maybe, that is why they play the games. One thing is for sure, it is going to be fun to watch.
Cheers.
