Salazar progressing toward possible '16 return

Indians righty throws 35-pitch session, would likely join bullpen

October 8th, 2016

BOSTON -- The Indians arrived to Fenway Park on Saturday for a workout under an overcast sky. On the other side of the country, Cleveland pitcher continued to make progress on the sun-plashed fields in Arizona.
On the eve of the scheduled Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Sunday (postponed to 6 p.m. ET Monday on TBS), Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway said that Salazar continues to make progress in his throwing program. Callaway noted that Salazar logged a 35-pitch bullpen session Friday in his quest to be available to the Tribe if it advances to the AL Championship Series.
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"He threw all fastballs," Callaway said. "Everything went well. The next step is just to continue to increase the intensity and get him healthy and feeling good."
All indications remain that Salazar would return as a reliever, if he is cleared to come back for the ALCS. Salazar, who has been sidelined since Sept. 9 due to a right forearm strain, is currently limited to throwing fastballs and changeups, because his curveball was the source of the most discomfort. He is working through his throwing regimen at the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz.
More from Saturday's workout
• Indians manager Terry Francona is plenty familiar with Fenway from his days with the Red Sox. Given the intimate atmosphere in the ballpark, and the rowdiness of Red Sox fans, Francona said he expects Game 3 to be quite a scene.
"If you like baseball, this is kind of like a cathedral," Francona said. "It's the way baseball, I think, a lot of people think it's supposed to be. It's older, but it's beautiful. There's so much history. And because of the fan base, the way they're so enthusiastic and rabid, when they start to get something going late, this place starts shaking and you can feel it. It's part of the game, and you need to be prepared for it, because you know it's going to get crazy."

• With the Indians in position to advance to the ALCS with one more win, Francona was asked on Saturday if there is any temptation to manage differently against the Red Sox. Francona said the best approach is to try to treat it the same way as other October games.
"Common sense isn't easy to have in the sixth or seventh inning," Francona said. "It's really hard, because you've got emotions going. That's why you try to talk through things before the game, so that you don't make decisions based out of emotion."