GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jefry Rodriguez went from being a revelation to the injured list early last season when the Indians needed a starter to take Mike Clevinger’s spot in the rotation.
On Saturday, Rodriguez hopes to revitalize the revelation part of his resume as he starts the Indians’ spring-training opener against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.
“The game is on Feb. 22 and nobody is going to care come June or July,” said manager Terry Francona. "But I think Carl (Willis, pitching coach) felt Jefry worked so hard and did so much this offseason -- he practically lived out here -- that it was like a reward to show him. Like, ‘Hey, we know how hard you worked.’”
Rodriguez is scheduled to go two innings on Saturday. He’ll be followed by Logan Allen, Adam Cimber, Phil Maton, Kyle Dowdy, Jared Robinson and Argenis Angulo.
Lefty hander Scott Moss will start Sunday’s game against the Royals followed by James Karinchak, Dominic Leone, Cameron Hill, Anthony Gose and Henry Martinez.
Right-hander Zach Plesac is scheduled to start Monday against the Rockies followed by Nick Wittgren, Emmanuel Clase, Jean-Carlos Mejia, Angulo and Robinson.
Right-hander Zach Plesac is scheduled to make his spring-training debut on Monday against the Rockies.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
“I’m always excited about pitching, regardless of it being the first game,” said Rodriguez.
The 6-6, 232-pound Rodriguez started last season at Class AAA Columbus. He made his first start with the Indians on April 13 against Kansas City after Clevinger injured his shoulder in his second start of the year. Rodriguez posted a 2.92 ERA over his four first starts with the Indians before going 0-3 in his last four starts.
He was placed on the injured list after leaving a start against the White Sox on June 1 with right shoulder soreness. He spent over three months on the injured list before rejoining the Indians on Sept. 6.
Rodriguez, after completing his rehab, made three different visits to Goodyear, Ariz., over the winter to work on his delivery and mechanics. The rest of the time he trained at the Tribe’s new baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.
“I focused on my lower body and improving my mechanics,” said Rodriguez. “The focus was on having clean mechanics that will help me stay healthy and increase my movement.”
Said Francona, “He got stronger. He worked on his mechanics. He did everything you possibly could. I think he’s appreciated the attention. Not just when he was pitching in Cleveland, but when he was hurt. ... I think our organization does a real good job with that. They don’t let guys fall through the cracks.”
The rotation is already down a starter following Clevinger’s knee injury. So Rodriguez, who could very well end up in the bullpen at some point this season, is a safety net for the rotation as well.
Lefty Scott Moss will make his spring-training debut Sunday against the Royals.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
“We can probably do both, as long as he’s getting outs we’d all be happy,” said Francona. “We’d certainly like to stretch him out because I think he showed last year that he has the ability to be an effective starter. The injury really derailed his season.”
In the past the Indians have slow played some of their starting pitchers based on their workloads from the previous season. Last year they did it with Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Clevinger. They don’t have the time to do it this season because of the season starts on March 26, the earliest in franchise history.
“We can’t with the way spring training is set up this year,” said Francona. “Slow-play it? We’ll be into May without (having anybody ready). If somebody misses a start, and it always happens for some reason, you’re going to have trouble getting them past 85 pitches. So we’re going to have to get them out there in games.”
Well armed: Shane Bieber, Adam Plutko, Emmanuel Clase, Brad Hand and Zach Plesac were among the pitchers who faced hitters for the first time on Wednesday. Bieber faced Francisco Lindor and broke two of his bats. Lindor pointed that fact out to Bieber after he was done pitching. . .Bench coach Brad Mills has temporarily left the team for family reasons.
In closing: Utility man Andrew Velazquez was claimed on waivers Wednesday by the Orioles. The Indians designated him for assignment when they signed outfielder Domingo Santana last week. The Indians acquired Velazquez from Tampa Bay for international bonus slot money in July.
Get Tribe Insider texts in your phone from Paul Hoynes: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with the award-winning Indians reporter, just like you would with your friends. It’s just $3.99 a month, which works out to about 13 cents a day. Learn more and sign up here.
Opening Day breakfast discounted tickets: Join cleveland.com beat writers Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga, columnist Doug Lesmerises, Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto and moderator Mike McIntyre for the 2020 Opening Day breakfast Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 a.m. before the home opener. This year's event, including parking, a hot buffet, raffles and a Q and A, will be held at the Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Ave. in the Flats. Use the code EARLYBIRD for a $5 discount on each $39.95 ticket. Sign up here.
ICYMI from cleveland.com
- Aligned right: Major League Baseball’s infield shift trend has roots in Cleveland
- Tony Fernandez will be remembered in Cleveland for more than that Game 7 error
- On Roberto Perez’s ankle and three other things concerning the Cleveland Indians
- RHP Mike Clevinger undergoes surgery on left knee, sidelined 6 to 8 weeks
- Clevinger’s knee injury, Domingo Santana’s arrival and 4 things we learned Friday
- Indians sign OF Domingo Santana to $1.5 million one-year deal with club option
- Cheating Houston Astros offer hollow apologies for sign-stealing mess
- Francisco Lindor first among five Indians ranked in top 100 by MLB Network
- Indians promote Justin Toole, Kyle Hudson to major league coaching staff