Hey everyone, I know it's been a while since I last posted - hope everyone is well. :-)

Sterling got knocked out in .2 IP w/ this line this evening:

0.2 IP/4 H/6 R/6 ER/2 BB/0 K

This was after his last start 5 days ago:

2.1 IP/5 H/12 R/12 ER/2 HR/5 BB/1 K

Outside of a little high BB rate before his two horrendous starts (17 BB/46.2 IP), and that's grasping at straws for someone who is 19-YO and skipped Mahoning Valley, he was cruising along quite well at Low-A. While a bad start or two is to be expected, the horrendous starts and lack of any command is making me think that this could be more than just a bad start or two.

I suppose fatigue could be a factor, but would seem unlikely at this point (has made just 10 or 11 starts this season). Therefore, is there something physically wrong with him?

I hope not - between Adams, Sturdevant, Barnes (who's back now), Stowell (in and out), Lee, and a few others - most of our top pitching prospects haven't been able to stay on the field in 2012 - Sterling and House were two of the few who did.

Hopefully, everything checks out with Sterling, but I'd definitely keep my eyes and ears open, as such a drastic falloff isn't usually a good sign - hope I'm wrong in this case.

Let's get and stay healthy - go Tribe!