Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco returns to warm welcome after leukemia diagnosis

Ryan Young
·Staff writer
Updated
Carlos Carrasco of the Cleveland Indians tips his hat to manager Terry Francona before the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field Sunday in St Petersburg, Florida.
Carlos Carrasco of the Cleveland Indians tips his hat to manager Terry Francona before the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field Sunday in St Petersburg, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Carlos Carrasco returned to the mound on Sunday, just two months after revealing that he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Carrasco pitched in the seventh inning for the Cleveland Indians on Sunday afternoon in their 8-2 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing two hits and a run. The 10-year veteran with the Indians has been on the injured list since June 5, and hasn’t pitched in the majors since late May.

Upon his return to the mound, Carrasco received a large ovation from those in attendance at Tropicana field — including players from both teams.

There are difficult times in our lives when we need the support of someone around us,” Carrasco wrote on Instagram on Sunday. “And often we forget about people that gave us this support as soon as we get better. Let’s not do that and learn to write “THANK YOU” to those who were there when we needed them. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Muchas gracias a todos por el apoyo siempre los recordaré.

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Carrasco made four appearances in the minors during his recovery before jumping back to the majors on Sunday, and even pitched a scoreless relief inning that included a 97 mph fastball with Double-A Akron.

Heading into Sunday’s game, the 32-year-old said he was feeling good about his arm — and was more than ready to get a few outs under his belt.

“My stuff has been great,” Carrasco said before the game, via Cleveland.com. “The curveball is way better. The slider and changeup, too. Even the velo. In my first game I was hitting 96 to 97 mph. In my last three games it was 93, 94, 92, 95. It’s been good.

“I think the most important thing is to just go out there and get some people out no matter what kind of pitch you throw, no matter what your velo is. There are a lot of guys in the big leagues that throw 86, 88 and 89 and they’re getting people out … I just feel happy to be here with my teammates and the support I have from them.”

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