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Cleveland Indians: Ryan Merritt Receives the Honor of Starting Spring Opener

By Steven Kubitza

Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Ryan Merritt (54) pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Ryan Merritt (54) pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Indians pitcher Ryan Merritt will be starting the team’s first spring training game, his first start since Game 5 of the ALCS.

The Cleveland Indians were shorthanded when it came to starting pitchers in the 2016 postseason. This meant someone had to step up to help the team. Ryan Merritt was that someone.

Merritt started Game 5 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays, going 4.1 innings and allowing zero runs in a 3-0 win for the Indians. Oh, and the win clinched a World Series berth, so no pressure for Merritt.

He may not start the season in the Indians’ rotation, but he is surely an option later on in the season if anyone is injured or has some struggles on the mound.

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But Merritt will get a chance to start the preseason for the Indians, as he will be the starter in the team’s first spring training game. Zack Meisel shared the info in a tweet sent out Wednesday morning.

This start is nowhere near equivalent to being an opening day starter, but it is nice to see a player like Merritt get to open the preseason for the Indians. If he can pitch well throughout February and March, perhaps he will earn a spot in the rotation early in the season.

Giving Merritt the start is a nice gesture by Terry Francona, although it may just be part of the pitching schedule as opposed to any type of major honor.

Regardless, the pitcher who impressed so many fans on an international stage deserves the opportunity being given to him.

As shown in Meisel’s tweet, Mike Clevinger will also be getting some work in the first game. Clevinger may be Merritt’s main competition for any open rotation spots, unless Francona prefers to keep the right-hander in the bullpen for some long work. Then again, there aren’t too many open spots in the bullpen, meaning Clevinger will likely open the season in Columbus, alongside Merritt.

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Both should be able to make it to the main roster at some point during the regular season, and surely in September when the rosters expand. But for now, both can enjoy the fact they will get to pitch in the first game of the 2017 preseason.

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