Sam Hentges’ injury last year left the Cleveland Guardians bullpen without a key lefty to take the burden off Tim Herrin’s shoulders.
However, late in the season, the team decided to give Erik Sabrowski a shot.
Things couldn’t have been better: in 12.2 innings, the southpaw gave new life to an already elite bullpen and posted a perfect 0.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts and a 0.79 WHIP.
Despite allowing a home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the playoffs (hardly something to feel bad about, if we are being fair), Sabrowski still posted a phenomenal 1.69 ERA in October, with eight punchouts in 5.1 frames.
We post these numbers and facts because the Guardians won’t be able to enjoy them right away.
“Erik Sabrowski has left elbow inflammation and received an anti-inflammatory injection this week. He’ll rest and be reexamined next week, and he’s expected to also then begin a throwing program. Likely means he will begin the season on the IL,” team insider Tim Stebbins reported via X.
Erik Sabrowski has left elbow inflammation and received an anti-inflammatory injection this week. He'll rest and be reexamined next week, and he's expected to also then begin a throwing program.
Likely means he will begin the season on the IL.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) March 8, 2025
If the pitcher has already been diagnosed with inflammation and is expected to begin a throwing program in a week, then he, in all likelihood, has already undergone tests and imaging to rule out something more severe.
He is a former Tommy John surgery survivor, and any elbow injury will always be a concern with him.
It sounds a lot like what happened with New York Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole last year.
He reported elbow inflammation around this time and came back in June with rest and rehab.
Sabrowski could be going down the same path.
If that’s the case, the Guards should consider themselves lucky.
If they can get the Sabrowski of 2024 back at some point in the first half, it would be a major win.
NEXT: Competition For The Guardians' Rotation Spots Is Heating Up
