Sunday is Sept. 1, also known as the day rosters expand throughout Major League Baseball. Teams can increase their roster from 25 to as many as 40 in efforts to give young players action or add depth in hopes of a playoff chase. It’ll be an especially important occasion for the Cleveland Indians. They’re set to welcome back starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who has been out since May.
That’s when doctors diagnosed him with leukemia.
But Carrasco has been working his way back while battling the cancer. He made three rehab appearances in August and figures to join the Indians’ bullpen upon his return Sunday.
ICYMI: Carlos Carrasco will return just three months after being diagnosed with leukemia
https://t.co/WqTm8uZzAK— SI MLB (@si_mlb) August 29, 2019
An amazing return
Rehabbing a torn ACL or a surgically repaired elbow is a long and arduous process. When players return from those types of injuries and have success, it’s inspirational.
But that’s nothing like a life-threatening disease. Carrasco will return in about three months.
“When [Carrasco] started throwing bullpens, just to see his face light up and to have him in the dugout, and see our guys react to him was really cool,” Indians manager Terry Francona said, according to MLB.com.
Nearly three months after revealing a chronic myeloid leukemia diagnosis, Carlos Carrasco is set to make his return to the big leagues on Sunday when the Cleveland Indians wrap up a weekend series at Tampa Bay. https://t.co/KJYZwC0Gxb
— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) August 29, 2019
Hoping for help
If Carrasco can provide any kind of a lift for the Indians bullpen as they attempt to chase down the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central, even better for the folks in Cleveland.
He won 18 games in 2017 and finished in the top five of the AL Cy Young voting. He was 4-6 with a 4.98 ERA this season before his diagnosis.
But can Carrasco give the Tribe a boost in the bullpen as well as their morale?
“We said, ‘If these bullpens lead to him pitching for us, that’s icing on the cake,'” Francona said. “What’s more important in life, by a big distance, is his wellness. He seems so excited to be pitching again, and we’re excited to have him.
“He’s a big part of us. He knows that, and he knows he’s cared about. But it’s going to be fun having him back.”
Good news: The plan is to add Carlos Carrasco to the #Indians active roster when rosters are expanded Sept. 1, manager Terry Francona said.
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) August 24, 2019
