Just when I thought the cold dark recesses of my heart couldn’t be lit by these meaningless two weeks of baseball ahead of us, Trevor Bauer goes and drops this, via MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.
Bauer said he joked with Francona that he’s available to pitch tonight. Kidding aside, TB said he feels he is capable of executing in MLB games now. Bauer: “We’re close.”
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 18, 2018
Of course this could mean next to nothing, as Bauer is the same guy who will pitch at moments notice and was out throwing in a boot just days after a baseball cracked a bone in his ankle. The decision will ultimately be out of his hands and up to the medical staff and Terry Francona when and where he’s used.
Francona said next step for Bauer will simply be to sit down, get everyone together (medical staff, Willis, etc;) to discuss what's most appropriate for the pitcher to take on next. Another sim outing? Other physical testing? Come off the DL? No clear answer right now.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 18, 2018
Trevor’s last start came on August 11, where he was continuing his Cy Young-caliber season with an eight-strikeout performance against the Chicago White Sox. Until a comebacker went straight for his ankle and fractured it, that is, ending his afternoon and likely his Cy Young bid with a trip to the disabled list.
Prior to the injury, Bauer sported a 2.22 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 11.60 K/9, 3.04 BB/9, and a 5.8 HR/FB — all career bests to this point. He was also on pace to eclipse 200 innings for the first time in his career.
Bauer has seemingly run the gambit of emotions since hitting the disabled list. First he was angry that such a fluke occurrence ruined his most brilliant season to date, and he revealed while the Indians were celebrating their AL Central Division win that he battled “a good bit of depression” at times in his comeback.
By all means, Trevor, please don’t rush and make the injury worse but also please come back and be awesome in the playoffs.