Cleveland Indians: Josh Tomlin Needs Shoulder Surgery, Will Miss 3-4 Months

Tomlin will miss 3-4 weeks following shoulder surgery

Sometimes you don’t realize the value of pitching depth until you realize how much of it you have. The Cleveland Indians knew they had an arsenal of capable Major League arms, but not enough spots for everyone. Now they’re happy to have enough to fill those spots following the news of

needing surgery.

It started with Gavin Floyd, who will likely miss the entire season after re-injured the same elbow he had surgery on that cost him most of last season. The Danny Salazar–who many expected would seize a spot in the rotation–struggled most of Spring Training before being sent to Triple-A. Now with the news Tomlin will miss up to four months, the Tribe have to be happy about said depth.

Even with the loss of Floyd and Tomlin, as well as the struggles of Salazar–the Indians will still run out one of the best rotations in the American League, possible in all of baseball. And believe it or not, they still have backup options in the minors.

Bruce Chen and Shaun Marcum both decided to stay with the organization after being told they wouldn’t make the Opening Day roster. Marcum had a solid spring after being a year removed from thoracic outlet surgery, but couldn’t win a spot in the rotation. His appreciation for the Indians being patient with him last season was to accept the Triple-A assignment. 

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Chen struggled this spring, but is still a capable arm, and now becomes even more important with the loss of Tomlin and Floyd. He will at least allow Terry Francona another option should some of the younger arms in the rotation wear down early from workload.

The pitching depth has certainly taken a hit this spring, but the Tribe is still well equipped heading into this season. Granted, they don’t want to see just how deep they can go–so if everyone can stay healthy from here on out, that would be great.

Next: Indians Goodwill Pays Off With Marcum