Cleveland Indians: Is Danny Salazar a Liability?

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar has struggled mightily since returning from the disabled list.

The Cleveland Indians enter play Thursday with a 5.5 game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. With 37 games left to play, including seven against the Tigers, the Indians need everyone on the roster to be at peak performance during this final stretch of the season.

One player expected to be a part of this playoff push is starting pitcher Danny Salazar.

Salazar started last Thursday, fresh off the disabled list, and had a terrible return. He lasted all of one inning, allowing three runs, walking three and only throwing a total of 34 pitches. The Indians ended up winning that game on a Tyler Naquin walk-off sacrifice fly, but Salazar’s performance was alarming.

His start Tuesday night in Oakland was his chance at redemption, but the struggles continued. Salazar did make it through four innings, but he allowed six earned runs in a 9-1 loss to the A’s.

The argument was made that Salazar may have been rushed back and perhaps should have been allowed a rehab start, which may be true when looking at last week’s start. But after facing eight batters and allowing three runs Monday in the bottom of the first inning, it was clear a rehab start may not have solved anything.

Salazar does not appear to still be injured, and his velocity looks like it is back to normal. The problem is his command. There are certain instances of him even looking like he is aiming his fastball, missing his spots by more than just a few inches.

Then there is the lack of strikes being thrown. Only 49 of his 80 pitches Tuesday night were strikes, while 16 of his 34 pitches last Thursday were strikes.

If this were the beginning of the season, Salazar could be sent down to the minors to figure out what is wrong, but the Indians need him to figure things out quickly. Salazar is a key piece in the rotation, and is expected to be at least the third option behind Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco.

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The most realistic option right now is to give someone, such as Mike Clevinger, a spot start to allow Salazar more time to work with Mickey Callaway to fix whatever is wrong. But this work with Callaway is something that is likely already being done, and playing in games may be the only fix.

It presents an interesting problem for manager Terry Francona. The rosters expand next week, but expecting a call-up to occupy Salazar’s spot in the rotation may be too much to ask. Then there is the play of Josh Tomlin, who may be even more of a concern than Salazar.

Salazar is scheduled to start Sunday’s game against the Rangers, and it may be his last chance to prove himself before Francona is left with no other choice but to replace him in the rotation.

Next: 3 Takeaways from 5-1 loss to Oakland

His first start back could be attributed to not being ready, while his last start can be blamed on a total egg being laid by the whole team, but it cannot happen a third time. If it does, changes will be coming to the rotation.