CLEVELAND -- After facing six batters on Friday night, Trevor Bauer walked off the mound to a chorus of cheers from the Progressive Field faithful. The ovation was less about the pitcher's performance than it was a response to what the outing could mean for October.
Bauer was activated from the disabled list prior to the Tribe's 7-5 loss to the Red Sox and worked into the second inning in his first start since Aug. 11. It was step one in a process of determining whether there is enough time on the schedule to have Bauer positioned to return to the rotation for the American League Division Series.