With just 22 days to go before Opening Day in Texas for the Indians, the team had its first player’s cuts and received possibly its first punch in the gut with news early on Sunday. Here are the notes from the weekend.
-Jason Kipnis who has been dealing with rotator cuff issue throughout spring training has been put back on the shelf after DHing on Thursday and Friday. Terry Francona says he will sit Kipnis for the next two weeks. Then go from there.
-This puts Kipnis in danger to miss opening day. Francona also said that Kipnis could DH or play 2nd base today as well. They just want him as close to 100% for the season as they can get him.
- Michael Brantley will continue his upward climb to playing in games as he will play in another simulated game on Monday.
-Perci Garner was sent down to Columbus Sunday morning. This was a bit of a disappointment because Garner had hoped to make the Big League club but his inability to throw strikes ended up being a problem. The team is still high on him and hope that he will take the presser off of himself and settle in and help the club down the road.
-Corey Kluber started vs the Padres and pitched 4 innings and gave 2 runs as he also had 4 strike outs .
- Prospect Francisco Mejia continued his hot weekend on Sunday. On Saturday he hit a game winning Grand Slam. On Sunday he hit a solo shot as he went 2-2.
-Tyler Naquin has had a fantastic spring as he hit a double but also threw a runner out at the plate from centerfield.
-Next up for the Tribe on Monday they will head to Glendale to face the White Sox. Carlos Carrasco will make his fourth spring start. He threw 3 hitless innings in his previous start.