Terry Francona wants defense first from Austin Hedges: Guardians takeaways
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Catcher Austin Hedges didn’t start Saturday night against the Giants.
“Our guys love throwing to Hedgie, but he can’t catch every day,” said manager Terry Francona. “That wouldn’t be fair.”
Rookie Bryan Lavastida caught Cal Quantrill for the second time in the first eight games of the season.
Hedges has made his reputation as a handler of pitchers and a defensive presence behind the plate. Hitting, well, that’s not the best part of his game. He has started the season 0-for-19 with eight strikeouts. Lavastida -- who appeared in just one game before Saturday’s start -- and Hedges were a combined 0-for-23 before Saturday’s first pitch.
What it means: Given the choice between Hedges excelling behind the plate and struggling with the bat in his hands, Francona will take defense every time.
“Any offense is welcomed by anybody ... and he knows that,” said Francona. “I’d rather have him struggle hitting rather than catching. Again offense is welcomed, but if he hits and doesn’t catch we’re not in a good spot.”
Quick turnaround
On Thursday the Guardians told rookie left-hander Konnor Pilkington he was being optioned to Class AAA Columbus because Josh Naylor was ready to come off the injured list in time for Friday’s home opener.
Pilkington caught a ride to Columbus on Thursday morning and reported to Huntington Park at 11:30 a.m.
“I was there for the game,” said Pilkington.
Pilkington was back at Huntington Park on Friday afternoon around 3 p.m. when he was told he was headed back to Cleveland because utility man Yu Chang had been placed on the injured list. He went back to his apartment, packed his bags and hitched a ride to Progressive Field with one of the Clippers clubbies.
“I had to be here by 6 p.m. and I think we got here at 5:40,” said Pilkington.
In the ninth inning of Friday’s 4-1 loss to the Giants, Pilkington made his big-league debut. He pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout and a walk.
“That was a dream come true,” said Pilkington. “There’s nothing short of it. I’m very confident that I have the ability to pitch up here.
“I won’t lie and say I wasn’t nervous. That’s human nature to be nervous when you grow up your whole life waiting for that exact moment. That moment right there is the most special moment in my life so far.”
What it means: The return of Pilkington means the Guardians are once again carrying 15 pitchers. They must return to a 13-man staff and a 26-man roster on May 2.
Testing, testing, testing
James Karinchak, a big part of the bullpen in the first half of last season, is getting closer to throwing off the mound during his rehab in Goodyear, Ariz.
“He’s doing good,” said Francona. “He wanted to throw one more, in his term, a really, really long toss before we get him on the mound. That was on Friday.”
Karinchak is recovering from a strained muscle in his right shoulder. He did not pitch in a game in spring training.
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