Cleveland Indians: Breaking down Danny Salazar’s move to the bullpen

Danny Salazar is the first Cleveland Indians starter to get sent to the bullpen this year, in a somewhat surprising move to make room for Mike Clevinger.

After the first two months of the season, it became clear that something had to give in the Cleveland Indians rotation. I wrote here that Mike Clevinger would replace either Trevor Bauer or Josh Tomlin by May 1. I was off by a month and a pitcher.

While, it’s not fair to say that Clevinger is replacing Danny Salazar, the Tribe decided to keep him around to see if he can.

After a horrible first eight weeks of the season, the Tribe decided to make a move and drop Danny Salazar out of the rotation and into the bullpen. This is not Salazar’s first stint in the bullpen, as he has made relief appearances as recently as the World Series.

The 27-year old hard throwing right-hander has not been the same since the second half of last year, after “mild elbow discomfort” cost him an All-Start Game start.

Salazar had a stellar first three months of 2016, posting a 10-3 record with a 2.22 ERA. He earned an All-Star Game start. His walk rate was finally down. He was not the same after his mild elbow discomfort.

After he had a sore right forearm and tight elbow that cost him time in August and September, Salazar made two World Series appearances, where he fared fine in relief.