CLEVELAND – 20 days ago, Carlos Carrasco’s season seemed in je0pardy after Joe Mauer ripped a line drive, comebacker off his elbow. Elbow injuries are a scary thing for pitchers, and initially, the Cleveland Indians feared that Carrasco’s was shattered.
The initial jolt of fear dissipated rather quickly though, as the team diagnosed the 31-year-old righty with a contusion. Two days later, X-rays confirmed just that and disaster was averted.
Still, Carrasco’s road to recovery took time. Bullpen sessions in late June, paved way for a rehab start in Akron last Saturday. The very next day it was announced that he’d rejoin the rotation, and lo-and-behold there he was on Friday night, pitching against the Oakland Athletics in front of a soldout, Progressive Field crowd.