CLEVELAND: The Indians on Monday placed starting pitcher Danny Salazar on Major League Baseball’s paternity list and recalled relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong from Triple-A Columbus.
Salazar is able to remain on that list for three days, meaning he’ll still make his regularly scheduled start against the Miami Marlins during the Indians’ upcoming weekend series.
“They’re in town and I think it’s supposed to be [Monday],” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “So, Armstrong is here to help our bullpen. And Danny will just fall right into his next start.”
Salazar recently tossed the first strong outing since returning from the disabled list with elbow inflammation, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out 10 in 5⅓ innings in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers.
After two tough starts in which he was hit hard early, Salazar’s start gave the Indians optimism heading into September that he’s bounced back from his short stint on the disabled list.
Four more years
The Indians and the RubberDucks extended their partnership on Monday, agreeing to a four-year player development contract extension that will keep the club’s Double-A affiliate in Akron through the 2020 season.
“[RubberDucks owner and CEO] Ken Babby and his team have gone over the top in making Akron a top-of-the-line facility for our players, our staff and the tremendous fans who come to see them play,” Indians director of player development Carter Hawkins said in a release. “It has truly been a partnership, so extending our relationship with the RubberDucks was an easy decision. We couldn’t be more excited to continue the relationship with the team and the city of Akron, and look forward to many years of championship-caliber baseball at Canal Park.”
The RubberDucks franchise has been the Double-A affiliate for the Indians since 1989. Formerly known as the Aeros, they’ve played their home games at Canal Park since 1997.
“We are thrilled to continue our working partnership with the Cleveland Indians,” RubberDucks general manager Jim Pfander said in a release. “The Indians are a first-class organization with a deep, emotional connection with the people of Northeast Ohio. We can’t wait to watch the next wave of Indians superstars to come through Canal Park during the next four seasons.”
Getting there
Catcher Yan Gomes’ next step in his rehab from a separated shoulder could be to appear in a game as the designated hitter. But he’s not quite ready to make that step.
Gomes has spent time working on the range of motion with his shoulder, which has meant his throwing motion is the last aspect to recover.
“He’s hitting on the field, he’s doing all that stuff and he continues to try to get stronger, especially with his throwing because the hitting has come quicker than the throwing, which I think makes sense,” Francona said.
“So just let him continue to do what he’s doing and, at some point, when he’s ready to maybe go out and DH, that could come first and he could still continue to work on his throwing.”
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ