Cleveland Indians: 5 disappointing players through the first six weeks

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Apr 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Dan Otero (61) in action during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Indians defeat the Rangers 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Dan Otero

Dan Otero is a veteran right-hander who was part of the backbone of the Indians bullpen in 2016. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen got all the attention, but Miller wasn’t in Cleveland until July. Otero and Bryan Shaw were the guys who built the bridge to Allen and they did a great job of it.

Otero pitched to a 1.53 ERA in his first year in Cleveland. This year that ERA is 4.20. That’s seven runs in 15 innings. In that time, Otero has already given up four home runs.

Otero needs to be better. The starting pitching has been inconsistent and getting the ball to Miller and Allen has not come as easily as it did in 2016.

Shaw was above a three ERA, at 3.24, after being below three the two previous years. However, he did only allow five of 25 inherited runners to score, while reaching a career-high 25 holds. He’s off to a good start again with the inherited runners, stranding four of five so far, and he’s lowered his ERA to 2.13.

Nick Goody has stepped up, but a three-man bullpen works for nobody, especially when the rotation is an issue. Otero has been good in the past and he needs to be good now.

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