Carlos Carrasco Successfully Returns to Starting Pitching With Victory

Last June, Cleveland Indians righthander Carlos Carrasco was diagnosed with leukemia, and spent nearly three months on the injured list. He was deemed well enough to return to the field in late August, and appeared in relief in September. On July 26th, Carrasco, who had been an important part of Cleveland’s starting rotation, returned to that role for the first time since May 30th of 2019.

It was like he never left. Carrasco struck out 10 Kansas City Royals and allowed just five hits and two runs in six innings as Cleveland beat Kansas City 9-2 in Cleveland. Jose Ramirez hit a pair of homers and drove in four runs to help insure that Carrasco’s return was a happy one.

The Indians allowed just five runs in taking two of three from the Royals on Opening Weekend. The only defeat was a 3-2 loss in 10 innings in Game 2. The Indians took the opener 2-0 behind a 14 strikeout performance by Shane Bieber.