Guardians’ Terry Francona encouraged by progress of lefty Sam Hentges
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Guardians’ successful bullpen from last year is coming back into focus.
made his first appearance of spring training on Monday against the Angels. He retired the side in order on 12 pitches.
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On Wednesday afternoon, Nick Sandlin and Enyel De Los Santos made their Cactus League debuts in a 6-0 win over Mexico at Goodyear Ballpark. In the same game James Karinchak made his fourth appearance of the spring and Trevor Stephan made his second.
Eli Morgan is scheduled to make his fourth appearance in a B game Thursday morning against the Padres in Peoria, Arizona.
That leaves just two of Cleveland’s heavy-lifting relievers from last year among the missing -- Bryan Shaw and Sam Hentges. Shaw signed a minor league deal with the White Sox. Hentges has hardly been missing, but he’s only made one appearance this spring because of a sore left shoulder.
Dr. Mark Schickendantz, the Guardians head team physician, examined Hentges on Monday. Manager Terry Francona was encouraged by the results of that examination.
“It was really, really encouraging,” Francona told mlb.com. “To the point that they’re going to let him do dry work and stuff. He’s a big, strong kid. I think sometimes some guys almost literally will themselves to getting (better). ... It’s just not gonna be a surprise if he comes [back] quick.”
Hentges, 6-8 and 245 pounds, made his only appearance of the spring on Feb. 26 against Texas. He was shut down after that with Francona saying he’d be evaluated on a “week-by-week” basis.
That leaves a lot gray area to work through, but even a quick recovery could land Hentges on the injured list for the March 30 season opener in Seattle.
Still, it’s good news that he’s making progress. Last year Hentges became a vital part of the pen. He went 3-2 with one save and 2.32 ERA in a career-high 57 games. He struck out 72 in 62 innings and had a second half to remember.
Hentges posted a 0.30 ERA after the All-Star break. He allowed one run over 29 2/3 innings with 36 strikeouts and five walks. The opposition hit .121 against him.
Francona and pitching coach Carl Willis, meanwhile, will be trying to fill two spots in the bullpen behind Clase, Karinchak, Stephan, Sandlin, De Los Santos and Morgan, while waiting for Hentges. There are candidates, but no one has jumped off the page just yet.
Then again there are still 20 exhibition games left.
Last season the bullpen went 43-19 with a 3.05 ERA and 51 saves in 69 chances. The ERA was the third lowest in the AL. They ranked second in saves.
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