CLEVELAND, Ohio – This is Adam Plutko’s second spring training without a minor league option next to his name. This means that the Indians must keep it on their list of 26 men on the day of the inauguration or leave by way of exemptions or an exchange.
Plutko has spent part of the past four seasons with the Indians. He proved his versatility, helping with rotation and bullpen. But, basically, he is a beginner trying to do a rotation charged with promising arms.
Manager Terry Francona and Plutko did not avoid their escalation status at their individual meetings earlier in the week.
“The first thing we said to him was, ‘The elephant in the room is that you have no options, so let’s just admit it and be open about it,'” said Francona.
Plutko trained as a starter in the off-season. He will be stretched out like one in the camp. He is scheduled to start Tuesday against Seattle. But as the camp moves in mid-March, Francona said the decisions will have to be made because there are only a certain number of entries for the rotation. In other words, the holders will continue to gain arm strength, while the other pitchers go to the bullpen or are opted by the minors.
“We told Adam that when we reach a certain point in spring training and we need to make a decision, we will communicate this to him, whether he continues to stretch or whether we transition to the bullpen,” said Francona. “The good news from where we’re sitting, he really looks good playing the ball. The ball is coming out of his hand.
“You can say that he spent a lot of time working on his break ball. I think he feels like he might have a few more weapons at his disposal, and he’s like a lot of guys, you know, pitchers and players, as they mature in their bodies and understand their role, as long as their work ethic doesn’t diminish, so you sees the guys getting better and that’s where Adam falls. “
If Plutko does not do the rotation – Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale should win the first three places – there may be space in the pen because Francona said he would like to keep nine substitutes. Plutko has played the swing man before, but this year he will have the competition from Logan Allen, Scott Moss and others.
At the moment, however, spring is young and no one has won fourth or fifth place in the rotation, even though Cal Quantrill and Triston McKenzie were mentioned prominently. Quantrill is scheduled to begin the opening of spring training on Sunday against the Reds. He goes two innings followed by McKenzie.
No. 1: Tito gets a W
There are few victories in spring training for players and managers. Francona won a Wednesday when his doctor told him that he could get around with a crutch. In four or five days, Francona said he could drop the remaining crutch and use a cane or a fungus bat. In a week or two, he could be free.
The best news is that he was allowed to take a shower without the boot on his left foot.
“I know it’s not breaking news for Cleveland media, but anyone who is less than a meter from me and my stinking foot is probably very happy,” said Francona.
Francona is recovering from surgery on her left toe in January because of a staph infection.
No.2: Implement the initiators
This is how the rotation is heading for the Liga dos Cactos season. Aaron Civale and Logan Allen will begin an intricate three-entry game on Saturday. Quantrill opens the season on Sunday against the Reds at the Goodyear Ballpark.
Bieber will start on Monday against Kansas City with Plutko starting on Tuesday against the Mariners. Plesac goes on Wednesday against Arizona.
No. 3: Another arm heard from
Jake Bauers, who spent the last season at the Indians’ alternate training camp, said it was not easy to face the same pitchers day after day in intra-team games. Especially when it came to facing southpaw Sam Hentges from 6 to 6 pounds.
“There were some guys there that you didn’t want to see every day, but you had to,” said Bauers, a left-handed hitter. “Sam Hentges is a guy who comes to mind. This is not fun. But at the end of the day, seeing him 20 times in a month, I’m much better off with that. “
The Indians recruited Hentges from Mounds View High School (Minnesota) in the fourth round in 2014. He did not shoot competitively from 2 to 13 with an ERA of 5.11 in 26 matches for Class AA Akron in 2019. He hit 126 and walked 64 at 128 2/3 innings.
“This guy is the real deal,” said Bauers. “Whether he’s going to be a starter or put him in the bullpen and let him get three outs, I think he can handle anyone. This guy is the real deal and he’ll be here soon. “
No. 4: Red Bull gives you wings
Ben Gamel is at camp trying to find a place for himself in the crowded outfield. Gamel, a left-handed hitter, has spent the last two years with Milwaukee, but was not signed on December 2. The Indians hired him into a secondary league with an invitation to spring training.
Gamel has an unusual ritual that he uses from time to time to prepare for a game. He takes a can of Red Bull, an energy drink, slams it against one of the locks, raises the can to his lips and opens the lid. The Red Bull then shoots you in the mouth (at least for the most part) in a geyser.
Asked if he would do that to the Indians – if he joined the team – Gamel said: “I will only eliminate this if we need a ‘dub (victory) for sure. If we’re playing well, I’ll probably let it go until we need it. “
No. 5: to close
The giant claimed to be right-handed Jordan Humphreys out of the Indians’ exemptions on Friday. Humphreys were assigned for assignment earlier in the week, when the Indians claimed the outfielder Harold Ramirez about Miami exemptions. . .DH Franmil Reyes (right ankle) and second base Cesar Hernandez (injured shin) will start on Monday against the Royals. … Francona and bank trainer DeMarlo Hale has been setting up for the first three or four games. Francona said early on that he is more concerned with getting players to appear on the boards than setting up a lineup for the regular season. This will start to take shape as spring training progresses. … Gamel, a tenth round pick for the Yankees in 2010, is on his fourth team. He played all three field positions, but is more comfortable on the left or right.
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