Michael Brantley
The Indians have set no timetable for Michael Brantley return from his second stay on the disabled list because of soreness in his right shoulder.
(Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Do you have a question that you'd like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? Submit it here or Tweet him at @hoynsie.
Hey, Nick: I'm sure the Indians are hoping Michael Brantley returns sooner than that, but right now they have to be careful. Brantley has already been on the disabled list twice this year. It seems pointless to try and bring him back a third time if it's going to result in another trip to the DL.
Brantley is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Doctors have told the Indians that the shoulder is the hardest joint to rehab because of the many small interdependent muscles involved.
If and when Brantley returns, they're going to have to monitor not only his playing time, but the time he hits in the cages and the hitting he does with his father.
At this point it seems unlikely Brantley is going to be fully healed until next season. Still the Indians have to proceed with caution so they don't make the situation worse.
Hey, Hans: You're right, the Tribe has shown the ability to bounce back within games. There are always relievers available at the deadline and I'd like to see the Tribe add a reliable lefty. It will also help when they get Joba Chamberlain off the disabled list.
Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think the Indians would go after Sean Doolittle? - Ryan Smith, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Hey, Ryan: I think that's more speculation than anything else at this point. The dots are easy to connect because the Indians don't have a lefty in the pen and the A's have a bunch of injuries and are struggling.
Hey, Hoynsie: Any word on the asking price for Andrew Miller of the Yankees? If it's not too steep, would the Indians be willing to take on a high dollar reliever? He's the best bullpen lefty in baseball. Having him in high-leverage situations would be a dream for Terry Francona and Mickey Callaway - Nick Kellogg, Austin, Tex.
Hey, Nick: The Yankees are playing better of late and are only 5 1/2 games out of first place in the AL East. I don't think they're ready to start breaking up the best part of their ballclub.
If the Yankees made Miller available, I'm sure the Indians would show some interest, but he's making a $9 million a year through 2018. That would make him the highest paid player on the Indians for this season.
Hey, Mr. Reality: The Indians believe Frazier should be back at Class AA Akron sometime in June.
Hey, Hoynsie: I seem to recall attending a Tribe game on Memorial Day in the mid-to-late 80s where Greg Swindell notched the win to go 10-0 before June 1st. Can you confirm this? - Joe Nagy, North Ridgeville.
Hey, Joe: You have a good memory. Swindell in 1988 won his first six starts before losing to Oakland on May 8. He won his next four starts, including beating Kansas City on May 30, to improve to 10-1.
It was a topsy-turvy year for Swindell. He lost his next eight decisions and finished the year at 18-14 with a 3.20 ERA.
Hey, Paul: It appears that way. In a short time the two have developed a good chemistry. I think the first inning of Friday night's game was a good example of a pitcher and catcher putting their heads together to get out of a tough situation with minimal damage.
Hey, Hoynsie: There has been a lot of talk about the safety of Francisco Lindor's swim slide. What I saw was an intuitive, talented and athletic baseball player make a play. Reminded me of Roberto Alomar. - Steve Cornelius, Rocky River.
Hey, Steve: Couldn't agree more. I've seen him do it a couple of times at second base and once at home and it's exciting. I think the rules instituted to prevent collisions at the plate make it easier for players like Lindor to do slides like that at the plate. So does the use of instant replay.
But catchers can still block the plate as long as they have the ball. In that case a slide like that puts the offensive player in a vulnerable position.
Hey, Jeff: The names Bradley Zimmer, Bobby Bradley and Frazier come to mind.
Hey, Hoynsie: I don't know about you but I am getting tired of everyone giving their own opinion of how MLB should adjust the game to shorten the time. They have already created several measures to cut down the time. I know they want to attract a larger/younger fan base, but at some point it is going to ruin the beauty of the game. I love baseball exactly how it is/was (I'm 23; part of the targeted millennials) and people should appreciate the sanctity of the game. That's my rant for the week. - Shawn Marshall, Garfield Heights.
Hey, Shawn: Well said.
Hey, Derrick: Zach McAllister has pitched well this season. He got beat Friday night by the Orioles, but that happens to all relievers. He's already shown the ability to rebound from a tough outing this season. I think he'll do it again.
Hey, Will: We'll know more after Carlos Carrasco makes his rehab start Saturday at Class AA Akron, but after listening to Francona on Friday, it sounded like he's on the fast track. I would think he could be back in the rotation by the end of this homestand or on the next trip.
Hey, Doc: Francona told reporters after Friday's 6-4 loss that he never thought about pinch-hitting for Chris Gimenez, who hit into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded to end the eighth.
He said Gimenez had one of the best at-bats in the inning and hit the ball hard. He credited second baseman Jonathan Schoop with starting a difficult 4-6-3 double play.