James Karinchak Throws Perfect Eighth Inning Monday
James Karinchak threw a perfect eighth inning in Monday night's 9-8 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays while striking out two. Karinchak was called into the top of the eighth inning to hold an 8-7 lead and performed his job admirably. Unfortunately, Emmanuel Clase was called into the ninth and blew the save for the Tribe. This closer's situation is still a committee, but Clase certainly did not help himself in this one and Karinchak has not allowed a run in his previous six appearances after struggling slightly in the middle of June.
Source: MLB.COM
Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Source: MLB.COM
James Karinchak Could Return In September
James Karinchak (shoulder) went on a minor-league rehab assignment to Triple-A Columbus after touching as high as 93 mph while pitching at the team's spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz. Manager Steven Vogt said there's a chance that Karinchak could pitch in the big leagues before the regular season ends. He reported to spring training in February with right-shoulder fatigue and has been working his way back ever since. If the 28-year-old isn't ready to pitch for the Guardians in September, it's unlikely that he'd be included on the postseason roster in October after missing the entire season. And if Karinchak returns in September, expected him to be eased into low-leverage spots. When healthy, Karinchak has the ability to be one of the most dominant high-leverage arms in baseball.
Source: MLB.com
Cleveland Guardians hard-throwing right-handed reliever Source: MLB.com
James Karinchak Dealing With Right-Shoulder Fatigue
James Karinchak is dealing with right shoulder fatigue in camp and will be on a slower schedule than the rest of the pitchers who reported to camp on Feb. 13. He will not throw for the first few days of workouts but the team is hopeful he can resume his throwing program shortly thereafter. The right-hander worked to a 3.23 ERA across 44 appearances with the Guardians in the 2023 season but was also surprisingly sent to the minors in June. He posted a 4.24 ERA in 23 minor-league appearances but also a 2.20 FIOP and a massive 43.8% K% in that time. His control was the reason behind the demotion as he posted a 16.4% BB% in the big leagues, lowering his K-BB% to just 14%, easily the worst mark of his big-league career.
Source: MLB.com
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Source: MLB.com
Guardians Expected To Call Up James Karinchak Friday
James Karinchak from Triple-A Columbus on Friday and place pitcher Michael Kelly (back) on the 15-day injured list with back spasms. Karinchak was sent to the minors in June after posting a 3.90 ERA (5.61 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, 19 walks and 38 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings with the Guardians. He has been worse at Columbus, allowing 12 runs (11 earned) on 13 hits while walking 11 and striking out 34 in 19 1/3 frames while also recording four saves. The 27-year-old hard-throwing right-hander might be useful for strikeouts and the occasional hold now that he's returning to the big leagues in much deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Mandy Bell
The Cleveland Guardians are expected to call up relief pitcher Source: MLB.com - Mandy Bell
James Karinchak Optioned To Minors
James Karinchak has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday. This is a bit of a surprise considering Karinchak has been pitching fairly well this season. He's posting a 3.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 38/19 K/BB ratio across 32 appearances. The expectation is that the 27-year-old will be back on roster in a few weeks. In a corresponding move, lefty Tim Herrin has been recalled to take his spot on the active roster.
Source: Mandy Bell
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Source: Mandy Bell
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