CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Guardians got another bullpen concern Saturday when Colin Holderman exited the win over San Diego with right wrist soreness, and now they’re waiting to learn how serious it is.
Holderman, who was in the middle of his 10th hold and had worked two-thirds of an inning, was due to be re-examined Sunday. He’s been a steady piece in relief, posting a 2.39 ERA across 49 appearances while allowing just four of 24 inherited runners to score. Cleveland brought him in on a one-year, $1.5 million deal Dec. 11 after four seasons in Pittsburgh.
President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said the issue is in the same area as a problem Holderman dealt with last year, though the pitcher says it doesn’t feel identical this time.
“It was an issue last year,” Chris Antonetti said. “He’s self-reporting that it’s not the same.
It doesn’t feel quite the same way. It’s in the same general area, but doesn’t feel as bad.”
Antonetti said the medical staff thinks treatment may be enough, and the team should have a better read within a day or two. With Monday’s off day, Cleveland has a little extra time to figure out what comes next.
The bullpen injury is just one more headache for a club trying to keep itself in the race. The Guardians entered Sunday at 60-64 and had dropped seven of their previous 10, but Antonetti isn’t treating the season like it’s slipping away.
“We still have an opportunity in front of us and we have to play better baseball,” Antonetti said. “We have not played well over the last few weeks and I think everybody believes we’re capable of more.”
He said the team’s problems have shifted over the past several weeks. Late in July, the offense was the part holding Cleveland back while pitching kept the club afloat. Lately, the bats have improved, but the rotation and bullpen have had a harder time keeping runs off the board.
That’s reflected in the numbers: Cleveland’s pitching staff carried a 4.82 ERA into Sunday in August after putting up a 3.72 ERA before the month began.
“I’m hopeful and confident that we can put the pieces together and play more complete games and be competitive for the balance of the year and make things interesting,” Antonetti said.
Antonetti also addressed José Ramírez, saying the star third baseman is still playing through meaningful pain in his surgically repaired hand and isn’t expected to be back at full strength this season.
“Everyone knows he’s still in pain and his hand bothers him,” Antonetti said. “It’s not going to be full strength until we get to next year.”
Even so, Antonetti said Ramírez’s willingness to keep taking the field is part of what makes him who he is.
“We all know what he means to our team and when he’s out there playing, how much of an impact he can have on the game,” Antonetti said. “It’s consistent with who José has been as he wants to do everything he can to try to help the team win and [is] willing to endure a lot of discomfort to make that happen.”
There was at least one encouraging development in the system: Ralphy Velazquez has been on a recent tear at Triple-A. Antonetti said the Guardians have noticed the surge, but fitting him into a crowded first-base picture remains tricky.
“Oftentimes when he gets to a new level, there’s a period of transition and then once he settles in, he kind of takes off,” Antonetti said. “I think we’ve seen that play out over the last couple of weeks.”
Antonetti said Velazquez, Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has sharpened his at-bats, especially against left-handed pitching, while continuing to improve defensively at first base. The issue is opportunity, with Kyle Manzardo and David Fry also in the mix for first-base time.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” Antonetti said of Velazquez. “It’s been really fun to see.”
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