The Cleveland Guardians made a variety of roster changes on Friday. Cleveland placed right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco on the 15-day injured list with a hip strain. They also sent outfielder Angel Martinez to Triple-A.
In addition, the Guardians have recalled outfielder Will Brennan, right-handed pitcher Peter Strzelecki and left-handed pitcher Joey Cantillo, according to GuardsInsider. However, Cantillo will only be the 27th man on Friday as Cleveland will play a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins.
The Guardians have struggled recently, and are now just three games ahead of the Twins and four games ahead of the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central Division.
Overall, however, the 2024 season was a success for Cleveland. The Guardians missed the 2023 postseason, which also happened to be Terry Francona’s final season with the ballclub. Stephen Vogt replaced Francona as the Guardians’ manager, but the MLB world did not expect the team to compete at a high level in 2024. Still, Cleveland currently has a record of 67-47.
Vogt has impressed in his first season as an MLB manager, and the Guardians can make a big statement in their doubleheader against the Twins on Friday. But one has to wonder what impact the loss of Carrasco will have.
Carlos Carrasco’s influence on Guardians
Carrasco, 37, was once considered one of the better pitchers in the sport. However, he has failed to replicate his previous success in 2024. Carrasco has posted a lackluster ERA of 5.64 in 21 starts.
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Still, Carrasco is a fan favorite in Cleveland. He was a pitcher for the team from 2009 to 2020 before being traded to the New York Mets. Carrasco then spent three seasons in New York before returning to Cleveland for the 2024 season.
Carrasco’s numbers may not be anything special, but he still has a huge impact on the team. An experienced leader like Carrasco is an asset to any club, especially one with a young squad like the Guardians.
Carrasco will focus on recovering from his injury for now, and perhaps he will recover and be able to throw well when he returns.
