Reliever Shaw makes Indians' roster after strong camp
Bryan Shaw has pitched his way back into Cleveland’s bullpenMARCH 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Indians push on without Lindor, lean on Bieber, pitching
The Indians knew this season was coming, the first one without Francisco LindorMARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wild thus far in spring Karinchak has made six appearances for Cleveland in Cactus League play, working 5.1 innings and giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits and five walks while striking out 11.
Impact Karinchak's ability to rack up strikeouts at a prolific rate would likely make him a top-tier fantasy closer if manager Terry Francona hands him the job, but the skipper has yet to commit to any pitcher as the primary option for saves. While Karinchak still looks like the most appealing candidate, the walk issues he's experienced so far this spring could give Francona pause. Karinchak may need to show improved control in his final handful of Cactus League appearances to stave off the likes of Emmanuel Clase, Nick Wittgren and Blake Parker for closing duties.
MARCH 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
James Karinchak’s up-and-down spring continues in Cleveland Indians’ 9-2 loss to L.A. Dodgers James Karinchak allowed three runs on three hits in the sixth and the Indians dropped their third straight game.
MARCH 12, 2021 • CLEVELAND.COM
Two good: Karinchak's curve stymies hitters He's only had one full season in the big leagues (even if it was only 60 games), but James Karinchak has already made quite the first impres...
FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • MLB.COM
Candidate to close games Cleveland manager Terry Francona suggested Saturday that Karinchak will get the chance to vie for the team's closing job in spring training, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer...
Impact Francona said that he isn't ready to define roles for his relievers this early in the spring, but Karinchak would seemingly represent the top internal candidate to replace last year's closer, Brad Hand, who signed with Washington this offseason after being non-tendered. Though Karinchak occasionally struggled with walks (14.7 BB%) in 2020 and saw his velocity drop a couple ticks from the year before, he was otherwise excellent in a setup role during his rookie campaign, submitting a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings while striking out 48.6 percent of the batters he faced. At a minimum, Karinchak should be locked into a high-leverage role out of the Cleveland bullpen in 2021, though he would lose some value if Francona prefers to use one of the veterans on the roster with prior closing experience (Nick Wittgren, Blake Parker, Heath Hembree and Bryan Shaw) as the team's main option in save situations.
FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Indians spring thoughts: James Karinchak's curve, Bryan Shaw's return, Tito's wheels Indians spring thoughts: James Karinchak learned to throw his curve after a Google search. Plus, updates on Bryan Shaw, Logan Allen & more.
FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
James Karinchak learned his curveball grip by Googling video of Lance McCullers Jr from 2017 Karinchak said he watched video of McCullers throwing 24 straight curveballs to beat the Yankees in the 2017 playoffs.
FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • CLEVELAND.COM
James Karinchak, Emmanuel Clase both want to close games, but Cleveland Indians might have other ideas Both hard-throwing righties say they see themselves as closers but will pitch in whatever roles they're asked.
FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • CLEVELAND.COM
Bieber in camp with Indians after COVID-19 quarantine
AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber has reported to training camp in Arizona with the Cleveland Indians after recovering from COVID-19FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Top 5 homegrown Draft picks in Tribe history CLEVELAND -- The Indians have a core group of homegrown Draft picks filling their 2021 roster, including Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac, Aaron Ci...
FEBRUARY 15, 2021 • MLB.COM
Inbox: Who is Karinchak's competition? CLEVELAND – We’ve finally made it. It’s time for the final Indians Inbox of the offseason, as pitchers and catchers are set to have their fi...
FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • MLB.COM
Notches win in finale Karinchak (1-2) pitched a perfect seventh inning with three strikeouts to earn the win Sunday versus the Pirates.
Impact Karinchak whiffed Josh Bell, Bryan Reynolds and Erik Gonzalez in the top of the seventh, and Cleveland rallied for the lead in the bottom half of the frame. The right-handed Karinchak pitched to a 2.67 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 53:16 K:BB and eight holds in 27 appearances this year. He will likely continue as a setup man to closer Brad Hand in the playoffs.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Indians rally past Pirates, will host Yankees in playoffs
The Cleveland Indians are staying home for the first round of the postseason — with the New York Yankees coming to townSEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bieber lowers ERA to 1.63, Indians top White Sox 3-2
Shane Bieber lowered his ERA to 1.63 in his final regular-season start, the lowest in the American League since Luis Tiant’s 1.60 for Cleveland in 1968, and Jordan Luplow hit a gam...SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mariners beat Astros 6-1, help Athletics claim AL West title
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tigers beat Indians 5-2 after Gardenhire's retirement
Eric Haase and Daz Cameron hit RBI singles during a four-run eighth inning for Detroit, and the Tigers won their first game following manager Ron Gardenhire’s retirement, 5-2 over...SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Indians hold on in 9th for 1-0 victory over Tigers
Zach Plesac pitched impressively into the eighth inning, and Brad Hand worked out of a jam in the ninth to lift the Cleveland Indians to a 1-0 victory over the Detroit TigersSEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pujols moves past Mays on HR list; A's clinch playoff spot
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs walk off over Indians on consecutive HBPs
Willson Contreras and Cameron Maybin were plunked by consecutive pitches from Cleveland reliever Nick Wittgren in the ninth inning, forcing home the winning run as the Chicago Cubs...SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Karinchak battling through first rough patch The Indians never doubted how well James Karinchak’s heater or nasty curveball would play at the Major League level. The only concern was th...
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • MLB.COM
Blows save, takes loss Karinchak (0-2) allowed two runs on a hit and two walks while recording his only out via strikeout to take the loss Monday versus the Royals.
Impact Karinchak entered Monday's contest with Cleveland ahead 1-0, but he walked the first two batters he faced. A Maikel Franco single spelled the end of Karinchak's outing, and reliever Adam Cimber allowed an inherited runner to score. Karinchak still has a solid 2.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB in 18 innings this year, but he's allowed three runs over his last two outings. The righty has five holds and a save in 17 appearances.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
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Franco, Starling rally Kansas City to 2-1 win over Indians
Maikel Franco and Bubba Starling had RBI singles in the eighth inning as the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 in the first game of a three-game seriesSEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Glasnow paces AL East-leading Rays to 5-3 win over Yankees
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
