Salazar To Get MRI On Right Elbow After Indians' Loss
BRIAN DULIK, Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — Danny Salazar was more concerned about his sore right elbow than the shortest start of his big league career.
The All-Star surrendered six runs, including three homers, in just two innings Monday night and will go for an MRI in the morning after the Cleveland Indians lost to the Minnesota Twins 12-5.
Salazar (11-4) has been bothered by elbow pain for several weeks — it prevented him from playing in his first All-Star Game in San Diego. He reached his boiling point after being shelled by the Twins, who got three homers from rookie Max Kepler.
"There's something in my elbow that's been there for a while, but it's getting worse," said Salazar, who lost for the first time since May 22. "I want to find out what's going on, so I know what's in there. Sometimes you try to hide the pain, and I feel good by the fifth day, but I'm really sore after I pitch."
Cleveland had its three-game winning streak snapped and had its lead in the AL Central Division cut to four games over Detroit. Mike Napoli hit his 25th homer of the season and Jose Ramirez had a pair of hits.
Its larger issue, though, is the health of Salazar, who underwent Tommy John surgery on the same elbow in 2010. He has an 8.84 ERA over his last four starts, totaling just 18 1/3 innings.
"It feels nothing like (when I needed) Tommy John, at all," Salazar said. "The ligament is right and everything in that part of the elbow is fine. But the sooner we get through this, the sooner I won't be causing damage to the team."
Indians manager Terry Francona admitted his ace hasn't pitched well of late, but added, "He doesn't look like somebody that's hurt to me. The right thing to do is just to get him looked at because he's worried. Hopefully — for his peace of mind — that's what it will give him."
All-Star reliever Andrew Miller, who was acquired Sunday from the Yankees in exchange for four minor leaguers, made his debut with Cleveland. It was his first appearance since July 26 at Houston.
Miller received a standing ovation as he took the mound to start the eighth, then gave up a leadoff homer to Joe Mauer. The left-hander retired Kepler on a grounder before Francona ended his evening after two hitters.
"Being new, it made sense to get him out there, but not too much," Francona said. "He hadn't pitched since Tuesday. That's too long, so we wanted to shake the rust off."
Before the game, the Indians added outfielder Brandon Guyer in a trade with Tampa Bay and designated third baseman Juan Uribe for assignment. They will need to make another move Tuesday to add Guyer to the 25-man roster.
Rookie outfielder Kepler homered twice off Salazar and once against Cody Anderson. He is the first visiting player to hit three home runs at Progressive Field since Dan Johnson of the White Sox on Oct. 3, 2012.
NO WORRIES
Francona had little to say about All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy's decision to void a trade that would have brought him from Milwaukee. The Brewers wound up dealing Lucroy to Texas. "I'm not that shook up about it," Francona said. "In fact, I'm not that shook up at all."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: OF Michael Brantley (right shoulder) hit off a pitching machine Monday, but there is no timetable for his return.
UP NEXT
Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson went six innings and allowed two runs in his last start, a July 28 no-decision against Baltimore.
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco is scheduled to make his 100th career start. He is 5-2 with a 1.61 ERA in his last eight outings.
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