Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images
-The Tribe fell to the Reds on Tuesday but the starting troops did well as Jason Kipnis kept up his torrid pace by hitting his 6th home run in just 6 spring games. After struggling with injuries in 2017 Kipnis has been absolutely locked in so far. He refuses to speak on launch angle but he has lowered his hands a bit in his stance and raised his back elbow. So far so good as Kipnis looks to turn things around in 2018.
-Francisco Lindor homered to lead off the contest and added a 2-run double in the 4th , going 2-for-3 with 2 runs and 3 RBI on the afternoon. Lindor will now play in games a few days in a row as he’s looking to catch a rhythm as the team is about half way through its Spring schedule.
-Carlos Carrasco was on the mound for just the second time this spring and threw 20 pitches with 18 of them for strikes. Cookie fanned 4 Reds and then threw 15 more pitches in the bullpen to complete his day. The Indians have moved at Carrasco’s pace this spring after he had a sore elbow last spring then went out and threw career high 200 innings last year.
- Mike Clevinger to know ones surprise was named a starter for the Tribe as Danny Salazar is still trying to get into shape as he came into camp with a sore arm. But Clevinger has been lights out thus far during the spring and has hopes of being able to throw 200 innings. If he can itd give the Tribe a quartet of arms that could take up the slack of losing the likes of Bryan Shaw in the bullpen.
-Michael Brantley is unrestricted offensively, as he has been a full participant in batting practice and cage work. He’s also begun working on lateral movements to prepare to play defensively. He sounds like he should be close to 100% by early April.
-Brandon Guyer is hitting off a tee every two day with an off day mixed in after re-aggravating his wrist injury early in camp.
-The Tribe will play its first night game of the Spring on Wednesday as they’ll host the Cubs. Trevor Bauer will be on the mound for the good guys as the Cubs will counter with Jose Quintana.
- Andre Knott