On Zach Plesacs progress and 4 other things about the Cleveland Indians – cleveland.com

PITTSBURGH -- The Indians continue to be encouraged by the progress that right-hander Zach Plesac is making in his recovery from a broken right thumb.

Plesac threw a bullpen session Friday afternoon at PNC Park. He threw fastballs and changeups at close to full effort. Plesac has had no problem with the thumb he broke when he lost a wrestling match with his undershirt following a bad start against the Twins on May 23.

The injury has been a big factor in the tailspin that the rotation currently finds itself in. The Indians are down to one starter, Aaron Civale, from their opening day rotation. Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie couldnt keep their spots in the rotation. Shane Bieber went on the injured list Monday.

On Friday the Indians opened a three-game series at 38-28. Its their best start after 66 games since Terry Francona became manager in 2013. It is also a shock because theyll face the Pirates with J.C. Mejia, Cal Quantrill and Sam Hentges as their starters. When the season started, Quantrill was in the bullpen and Mejia and Hentges were at the alternate training site in Columbus.

Mejia threw four innings Monday in a 4-3 win over the Orioles. Hell be coming back on three days rest so hes not expected to go much longer than he did Monday.

Quantrill threw four innings Tuesday against the Orioles. Hell also be facing the Pirates on three days rest.

Hentges threw a scoreless inning Thursday against Baltimore, but hasnt started since May 30.

The Indians, who have won seven of their last nine games, have received 19 1/3 innings of work from their bullpen over the last four games. How long can they continue to produce quality innings like that will determine where the Indians are in the standings if and when Plesac and rotation are able to get back together again.

No. 1: Home run derby for JRam?

Jose Ramirez is tied for fourth place in the AL with 15 homers. Francona was asked if he would push Ramirez to participate in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game at Coors Field in July.

I would never push, said Francona. What I do is support if any of our guys wanted to do it, I would support, because I think its good for the game and you would put any reservations you have personally in the rearview mirror or in the backseat, however you want to put it. But I dont think Id push somebody to do it, ever.

Ramirez declined to participate in the 2018 derby at Nationals Park because he felt it would hurt his swing in the second half.

No. 2: No problem for Eli

Right-hander Eli Morgan, hit just above the right elbow by a line drive in the first inning Thursday, told the Indians he was fine after the game. The story was the same when he reported to PNC Park on Friday. In his second start in the big leagues, Morgan allowed three runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings.

No. 3: Testing, testing

Catcher Roberto Perez (right ring finger) was on the field early Friday throwing to the bases. Perez and Plesac are expected to be examined Saturday by Dr. Thomas Graham in Pittsburgh. Graham did the surgery on Perezs finger. . .Indians bussed from Cleveland to Pittsburgh after Thursdays game against Baltimore. . .Francona grew up in New Brighton, Pa., and will have family and friends attending the series. My high school baseball coach is coming Sunday and bringing the whole family to celebrate Fathers Day, said Francona. I thought it was pretty cool. They wanted to come to the game and I made sure I sent them some Cleveland stuff so they dont have to root for Pittsburgh.. . .Former Tribe farmhand Kaiai Tom started in left field for the Pirates. The As selected Tom after the Indians unprotected list in the Rule 5 Draft in December. They waived Tom and the Pirates claimed him. There was a lot of talk about protecting him and (if we didnt) wed lose him and we did, said Francona. Hes a good hitter. . .Id say an advanced hitter is what we saw. Tom entered the game hitting .140 with two homers and 12 RBI.

No. 4: Fire down below

McKenzie allowed one run on one hit in four innings as Class AAA Columbus beat Toledo, 8-2, Thursday. McKenzie walked four and struck out four. 2B Owen Miller, just demoted by the Indians, doubled, homered and walked twice. SS Andres Gimenez homered and drove in two runs. . .Will Benson doubled and tripled as Class AA Akron lost to Bowie, 3-2. Juan Hillman struck out four and allowed one run in a five-inning no-decision. . .Bryan Rocchio had two doubles among his three hits as Class A Lake County beat Western Michigan, 6-3. Raynel Delgado doubled twice and drove in two runs. Logan T. Allen struck out six and allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. . .Alexfri Planez and Cody Farhat homered as Class A Lynchburg beat Fredericksburg, 5-3. Juan Zapata didnt allow an earned run in four innings and Jerson Ramirez earned his fifth save.

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On Zach Plesacs progress and 4 other things about the Cleveland Indians - cleveland.com