GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Day to day is not exactly a timetable to set your watch by, but manager Terry Francona was happy that’s what the Indians medical staff attached to Carlos Carrasco as he recovers from a strained right hip flexor.
“He’s much improved, much improved,” said Francona on Friday. “I think we felt this was about the best news you could get with the results. He’s moving around. He’ll even get on the bike. He’ll graduate to (throwing) weighted balls and stuff very soon.”
As for potentially delaying the start of Carrasco’s season, Francona said, “After seeing him leave on a crutch Thursday, I think we got the best news we could hope for. How much time he misses is basically up to how quickly that heals. We don’t know that ... or how much he can do while he’s down.”
Carrasco strained his right hip flexor on Wednesday while doing squats in the weight room at the team’s Goodyear facility. He had an MRI on Thursday that was sent to California to have the results confirmed.
The Indians lost Mike Clevinger, another member of the rotation, in the first week of spring training to left knee surgery. He’s walking without crutches, but won’t be back in the big-league rotation for at least six to eight weeks.
“Today’s my first day without crutches, so I’m ahead of schedule," said Clevinger. “The next step is working with weighted balls. They’re deciding on that now.”
Indians manager Terry Francona.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No. 1: MLB’s new rules of the game
MLB’s Joe Torre and his staff met with Indians coaches and executives to explain the new rules for 2020.
The three-batter rule stipulates that a pitcher must face at least three batters when he enters a game unless there are two outs in the inning. If that pitcher goes out to start the next inning, he must face at least two batters.
“There’s going to be some strategy that we’ve never taken into account before,” said Francona. “We’re going to be learning on the run.”
When rosters could expand on Sept. 1 in the past, teams could put as many as 40 players on the active roster. Now the roster will be limited to 28 players.
“I’ve been a huge advocate for a long time that everything had to be uniform," said Francona. "I really thought that you’d be able to call up as many players as you can and every night have a certain roster. This really surprised me. If you’re at 26 players already, most teams will probably add a catcher and one pitcher. Potentially no position players.”
Francona said options and rules governing the injured list will still be effect in September.
“You’re going to want your Double A and Triple A teams to make the playoffs so they continue to play or we’re going to have to send some guys out (to Goodyear),” he said. “You know you’re going to need players.”
Teams will be limited to carrying 13 pitchers during the regular season. Francona said he’ll most likely carry the maximum.
“That extra bullpen arm, personally, I do a better job with the bullpen if I have the extra arm,” he said. “I spent too much time panicking with the guy not there. I think it hurts some of my decision making. Having the extra guy out there really helps.”
Indians catcher Kungkuan Giljegiljaw catches a bullpen session in Goodyear, Ariz.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No.2: What’s in a name?
The catcher formerly known as Lin-Chen Chu legally changed his name to Kungkaun Giljegiljaw over the winter in Taiwan. Last year he appeared in 60 games for Class AA Akron, hitting .229 (48-for-210) with five homers and 25 RBI.
“I’m from the tribal people in Taiwan," said Giljegiljaw, when asked about the change. "This is my original name. I’m proud of my family and wanted to wear my real name on my jersey. That’s what I’m going to do in the future, too.”
As for his former name of Li-Chen Chu, he said, “That’s a long story. I’m from Taiwan and we speak Chinese. That’s my Chinese name. But this is my tribal name.
“I have a sister who didn’t change her name. I asked permission of my parents, ‘Can I change it?’ I should have done it when I signed with the Indians (2012), but my parents said no. But I kept asking them and this year they said yes and I’m happy.”
Giljegiljaw was invited to big-league camp by the Indians for the first time this year. Before he arrived he spent the winter changing the names on his bank account, driver’s license, etc. “Everything had to change,” he said with a laugh.
Indians right-hander Shane Bieber threw his second session of live batting practice Friday in Goodyear, Ariz.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No.3: On Shane Bieber and a peek at the future
The Indians wanted to hold Shane Bieber back this early in camp. What pitching coach Carl Willis discovered is that Bieber can’t be stopped.
“We tried to scale him back a little bit," said Francona, “but he can’t do that. So Carl finally just told him, ‘Throw the ball like you throw the ball.’ I think he was happy to hear that.”
Bieber threw his second session of live batting practice Friday. Roberto Perez caught him and the two were discussing his pitches during the session. Perez finally said, “Let’s talk after this is over.”
“He’s in great shape," said Francona. “He’s fun to watch. You just kind of stay out of his way.”
Prospect Sam Hentges, a 6-6 left-hander, threw Friday as well. He threw one pitch to catcher Cameron Rupp and the veteran said, “Wow.”
“You look at him and it’s easy to dream a little bit,” said Francona. “He’s got the ultimate pitcher’s body (6-6, 245 pounds). He’s left-handed. He had a tough time last year at times. In the one-on-ones, he owned up to it. I kind of told him, 'Ten years from now no one might care what you did in Double-A. There is so much to like about this kid.”
Hentges went 2-13 with a 5.11 ERA in 26 starts at Akron. He struck out 126 and walked 64 in 128 2/3 innings. Former big-league pitcher Tim Belcher, a special assistant to the Tribe, has scouted Hentges the last two seasons.
“Belch saw him in August last year when his record was terrible and he said, ‘I like him more now than I did last year,’” said Francona. “That meant a lot to us. Not only is Belch a former pitcher, he’s a pretty tough grader. That made us all feel good."
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