Is Josh Tomlin Ready To Assume Role In Tribe’s Rotation?

Saddle Up! Josh Tomlin To Make First Start Since July 27th, 2012

. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Tomlin is from Texas which has earned him the nickname the “Little Cowboy.” Tonight he will saddle up for the Tribe as he makes his first start in the Major Leagues since July 27, 2012 against the Kansas City Royals.

In that game he allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits in just four innings of work. The outing capped off a miserable beginning of the 2012 season that just got worse at it went on.

The loss to the Royals dropped his record to 5-8 and elevated his ERA to 5.87 on the season. After the start he was demoted to the bullpen where it became apparent that there was something wrong. In four outings covering 8.1 innings of work he allowed 11 earned runs.

After his final outing on August 12th against the Boston Red Sox he went to see Dr. Lewis Yocum who recommened Tommy John ligament transplant surgery on his right elbow. An injury that was expected to shelve the Texan for 12-18 months.

He was diligent in his rehabilitation program and returned to the Indians in September of 2013 and appeared in a game against the Chicago White Sox logging two scoreless innings.

This spring he competed with Carlos Carrasco, Aaron Harang, and Trevor Bauer for the fifth and final rotation spot. He pitched well but the Indians wanted to give Carlos Carrasco who is out of options the opportunity to secure the spot.

Carrasco did not seize the opportunity and over four starts he posted a record of 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA and he never seemed to fully embrace the delivery changes recommended to him by pitching coach Mickey Callaway.

While Carrasco was struggling to take hold of the fifth spot in the rotation Tomlin was pounding the striking zone and retiring hitters for the Tribe Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers posting a record of 2-1 with 2.06 ERA spanning 35 innings of work. In those 35 innings he has an impressive 28 strike outs while only issuing 9 walks. He has allowed three home runs on the year.

Tonight he’ll toe the rubber against the Minnesota Twins looking for his first major league win since July 5, 2012 when he delivered seven strong innings allowing just one earned runs against the Tampa Bay Rays in an Indians 3-1 victory.