Carrasco throws bullpen; Giambi set to be activated

ST. PETERSBURG -- Indians manager Terry Francona said Jason Giambi should be activated before Tuesday's game against the Yankees at Progressive Field.

Giambi opened the year on the disabled list with a back injury, which has worked out for Cleveland as it awaited the end of Carlos Carrasco's six-game suspension.

"I think he's going to be fine," Francona said of Giambi. "He's able to be activated on Tuesday, and I don't see any reason that won't happen."

Francona said he was already thinking of ways to work Giambi into the lineup, though he won't make it a priority until the Tribe heads north for Cleveland. Francona would like to start Giambi against a right-handed starter, but said the Yankees rotation is "in flux" and noted that lefty Andy Pettitte is scheduled to start Tuesday. The Yankees' rotation is currently aligned so that right-handers Ivan Nova and David Phelps will start Wednesday and Thursday, however.

"I certainly don't want him to sit a week," Francona said. "I'm going to do with him just like I do with everybody."

Carrasco, meanwhile, joined the Indians on Saturday and threw a side session in the bullpen. He is scheduled to be activated and start Tuesday's game against the Yankees. Francona said Carrasco had one more day remaining on his six-game suspension, but he should be able to watch Sunday's series finale alongside his teammates in the visiting dugout at Tropicana Field.

"Once we're done here [with Saturday's pregame workouts], we've got to dispose of him," Francona said. "He can be in the dugout starting tomorrow."