After being diagnosed with leukemia, no one could have possibly counted on Carlos Carrasco returning to the Indians roster anytime in the 2019 season.
The team and Carrasco never gave up hope, and now the 32-year-old Tribe starter is back, and he will be added to the team’s Major League roster Saturday in Tampa.
“The plan is to activate [Carrasco] on the first — which is Sunday,” Indians manager Terry Francona told MLB Network Radio Wednesday.
“If all goes well tomorrow with his last bullpen outing, we’ll pitch him out of the bullpen.”
Carrasco has been impressive in his rehab starts as he works his way back. He made three appearances with AAA Columbis and AA Akron, and in those outings allowed one run.
He will take the mound on Thursday in a final Minor League appearance and once he comes to the Indians Saturday will get a chance to help the team out of the pen.
“He’s a big part of us. He knows that, and he knows he’s cared about. But it’s going to be fun having him back,” Francona said.
The last time Carrasco took the mound for the Indians was back on May 30th against the Chicago White Sox.
It was on June 5th that he was placed on the injured list with an undisclosed blood disorder, and a month later he disclosed to a Dominican television station that he had been diagnosed with leukemia.
Since then the team has been doing whatever they can to keep Carrasco on their minds, playing inspired ball for their teammate as he continued to defy the odds and work his way back to the team.
Now he will have a chance to complete the comeback on Saturday in what should be an emotional day for the club as they play down in Tampa against the Rays.
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