For the Cleveland Indians, who will open up defense of the American League Pennant, uncertainty is taking shape as opening day approaches. The team hopes to have all its players back from last season, but that will not happen by opening day.
Jason Kipnis the team’s All-Star at second base will not play all of April due to an injured right shoulder, while Michael Brantley an outfielder is recovering from an injured shoulder that kept him out almost all of last season and did not play a spring training game until this week.
Carlos Santana, the team’s starting first baseman just returned from playing in the World Baseball Classic and Francisco Lindor their shortstop will not return until today or Friday since he played in the WBC championship game on Wednesday night.
Santana played Wednesday and led off for the Indians. He was 1 for 3. Brantley was also 1 for 3 batting second. On Thursday, Brantley will play for the first time in consecutive games.
Francona said that having Santana in the order makes things easier since he can hit first or fifth and is willing to do that which makes it easier to fill out the batting order.
Ramirez batted third, which is Lindor’s spot, and moved to second, with Edwin Encarnacion the new No. 4 hitter batting behind him.
Giovanny Urshela, who will like play third if Ramirez moves to second, played shortstop on Tuesday so he could get at bats.
Danny Salazar is another player the Indians are not completely comfortable with yet. Last season Salazar was 10-3 with an ERA of 2.22 in the first 15 starts he made. He was on the All-Star team but missed the game and most of the second half of the season due to a sore arm.
On Wednesday he pitched with an ERA of 2.93 over 15 innings this spring, but over five innings allowed seven runs on eight hits and lost 10-2.
Salazar said his arm is fine since he returned to pitch during the World Series. He said a start like today will happen in spring training, but his arm was fine and he was ready and that is what matters most.
