The Cleveland Guardians were set to enter the 2024 season with their “Big 3” of young starters as part of the rotation, in addition to the more established Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie.
Injuries, however, got in the way and forced Gavin Williams to open the year on the injured list with an elbow issue.
The Guardians, then, paid close attention to spring training stats and performances from their depth starters.
In the end, a loved and respected veteran ended up getting the nod as the fifth starter in the rotation, replacing Williams for as long as he is out: Carlos Carrasco.
The Guards took a cheap flier on him in the offseason, knowing he went to specialized baseball lab Driveline to regain the stuff that made him great one day.
The results were amazing, and Carrasco has a 2.57 spring ERA in 14 innings.
In a chat with Guardians insider Mandy Bell, the veteran pitcher showed his loyalty to Cleveland and said he is ready for any role.
“Carlos Carrasco will be the Guardians’ fifth starter. His reaction: “It’s really nice. But at the same time, I’m here no matter what. If I’m going to start or work out of the bullpen, I just want to be part of the team. I just want to play for Cleveland,” Bell tweeted, with Carrasco’s quotes.
Carlos Carrasco will be the Guardians' fifth starter. His reaction: "It’s really nice. But at the same time, I’m here no matter what. If I’m going to start or work out of the bullpen, I just want to be part of the team. I just want to play for Cleveland.”
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) March 24, 2024
It’s hard to find a more loyal person than “Cookie” in baseball these days.
The only reason he left Cleveland in 2021 is because the organization traded him alongside Francisco Lindor.
After a couple of seasons with the New York Mets, he finally found his way back to the franchise he loves.
He will proudly defend the Guardians’ uniform in 2024, and will try to prove he still has something left in the tank.
NEXT: Guardians Reveal Carlos Carrasco Roster Update