CLEVELAND — Danny Salazar’s comeback attempt with the Cleveland Indians was a short one, and it resulted in another long stint on the injured list, which should keep him out of action for the remainder of the season.
Prior to Friday night’s game against the American League Central Division-leading Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, the Indians transferred Salazar from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day list because of a groin injury.
In addition to the Salazar news, the Indians announced the activation of starting pitcher Jefry Rodriguez after he missed more than three months of action because of a shoulder strain.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Rodriguez posted a 1-5 record over his eight starts in the 2019 season with the Indians, who acquired the hard-throwing right-hander along with minor-league All-Star outfielder Daniel Johnson from the Washington Nationals in exchange for catcher Yan Gomes.
The record was a bit deceiving, as Rodriguez allowed three earned runs or less in five of his eight starts.
After a lengthy rehabilitation process in extended spring training following offseason shoulder surgery, Salazar spent part of the 2019 season working through the Arizona Rookie League, as well as assignments with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus before being activated from the 60-day injured list in late July.
Over 17.1 innings pitched in his six rehabilitation starts, Salazar allowed 16 hits and five runs, all earned, with five walks against 28 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .235 batting average and compiling a 2.60 earned run average.
Salazar was activated to start the August 1 game against the Houston Astros, but his velocity was down nearly 10 miles per hour from his minor-league appearances, and he struggled through four innings of work, where he allowed four hits, two earned runs, two home runs and three walks against two strikeouts.
Salazar was relieved after the fourth inning because of the groin injury and has not returned to the rotation.