Indians designate Carrasco, promote Guilmet
CLEVELAND -- The Indians announced a trio of roster moves before Sunday's game against Detroit.
Carlos Carrasco, who started and lost on Saturday, was designated for assignment for the purposes of optioning him to Triple-A Columbus. In his place, the Tribe selected the contract of right-handed reliever Preston Guilmet. Also, the club transferred injured catcher Lou Marson to the 60-day disabled list.
Guilmet, 25, made 34 appearances for Columbus this season, compiling a 2.32 ERA and recording 16 saves. Over 42 2/3 innings, Guilmet struck out 50 and walked 12. This is the first Major League stint for Guilmet, who was drafted by the Tribe in the ninth round in 2009.
"Just excited to be here," Guilmet said. "Can't wait to help the club out [the] best I can. Really just happy to be here, been working a long time for this. It's cool to finally get to this level and see how things go down the road.
"There's no real word that describes the feeling. It's just a thrill to finally get the opportunity."
Guilmet learned about his callup during the Clippers' doubleheader on Saturday. He most recently pitched on Friday, when he allowed three hits and two runs in 1 1/3 innings.
"I'm not going to overpower guys with the fastball," he said. "But, I think I get in there, I compete. I throw a lot of strikes and work pretty quick."
"He's worked his way up all the way from Rookie ball," Tribe manager Terry Francona said after Sunday's game. "At every level, he has succeeded. And he doesn't overwhelm you with his stuff, but he knows how to pitch and he competes."
A Triple-A All-Star, Guilmet takes the place of Carrasco on Cleveland's active roster. Across six starts spread over several stretches with the Indians, Carrasco went 0-4 with a 9.10 ERA.
In order to option Carrasco to Triple-A, the Indians need to first secure optional waivers, which is a two-day process for a player three years removed from his Major League debut. Since the right-hander was recalled Saturday to pitch against Detroit, Cleveland needed to designate him for assignment while awaiting the right to option him to the Minor Leagues.
In Saturday's game against the Tigers, Carrasco gave up seven runs (six earned) over just 3 1/3 innings.
"Because he went short, we wanted an arm," said Francona, who revealed the club planned on keeping Carrasco in the rotation for another start. "And we need him to pitch better."
Right shoulder inflammation has limited Marson's playing time to just three Major League games this season. He also has appeared in eight games for Columbus, but had to withdraw from a rehab assignment last month because of shoulder soreness.