The Cleveland Indians already have a problem with finding five capable pitchers for a proper starting rotation.
Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie have been demoted and Sam Hentges is now in there trying to prove he belongs.
Well, someone is going to get a promotion because Zach Plesac is now on the injured list.
What happened?
How did it happen? Tito said Plesac was "rather aggressively ripping off his shirt" and got it caught on a chair at his locker.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) May 25, 2021
This is some terrible news to come out a few hours before a game.
It appears Plesac was changing too fast and fractured his thumb in the process.
That is some terrible luck and the focus now turns to find a replacement in the rotation.
Who Will Replace Plesac?
The Indians recently called up Jean Carlos Mejia, who is one candidate to slide into the rotation.
Allen and McKenzie are also logically next in line simply out of necessity.
Fans should also not forget about Cal Quantrill, who remains in the bullpen for now.
The front office needs to think fast because the team is in need of a starter in several games this week.
So, with Zach Plesac now sidelined, the Indians need a starting pitcher for:
-Wednesday vs. the Tigers
-Friday vs. the Blue Jays
-one of the games in Monday's doubleheader vs. the White Sox— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) May 25, 2021
We have often talked about the Indians being a team of opportunity.
That is even more true now that Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale are the only two Opening Day starting pitchers in the rotation at the moment.
What the Indians do have is a stacked bullpen, so a bullpen day or two could be in the plans.
The alternative is calling up a player like Eli Morgan and praying the offense can step up to help all these young, inexperienced pitchers.
Plesac’s Up-and-Down Year
This is a tough blow for Plesac.
His ERA is at 4.14, but that is because he has allowed at least five earned runs in three of his 10 starts.
He has also had three scoreless outings and is an asset in the rotation.
2021 was also supposed to be the first time he got a full season of MLB work.
He pitched in 21 games in 2019, followed by only eight in the shortened 2020 season.
Plesac has made 10 starts in 2021 and the hope is this absence won’t be a long one.
But there is no way of knowing until he gets the injury looked at by a doctor.
A right-hand injury is not exactly great news for a right-handed pitcher.
All fans and the team can do is wait and see what the update ends up being.
One positive spin is that the Indians can see what they have in their young pitching prospects other than Allen and McKenzie.
Someone needs to step up or the Indians are doomed without a trade or two.
That may end up being the necessary move if the front office is actually trying to win in 2021.
The Indians should be buyers and not making any moves would be telling of the organizational mindset.
Leave a Reply