Westbrook Lands on the 15-Day DL with Muscle Strain
With the offense doing little, the starting pitching took a big blow today for the Tribe as out of the blue the team threw Jake Westbrook on the 15-day DL with a “left intercostal strain.” Not much has been released on the injury, other than it’s retroactive to April 20th. The team has called up outfielder Ben Francisco, with the hopes of him maybe being a spark for an offense that has been awful and boasts the lowest batting average in the AL. Below is the presser the Indians sent out on Jake going on the DL.
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has placed RHP JAKE WESTBROOK on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, April 20th with a left intercostal strain. To replace Westbrook’s spot on the Major League roster the Indians recalled OF BEN FRANCISCO from AAA Buffalo.
Westbrook has made 4 starts for the Indians so far this year as he is 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA (29.2IP, 28H, 10R/9ER, 5BB, 16K). His 2.73 ERA currently ranks 14th in the American League. Today marks the 5th DL stint of his Major League career.
Francisco started the year on the AAA Buffalo roster after being optioned at the conclusion of spring training (March 27). He was batting .208 (15-72) with 7 runs scored, 2 doubles, a triple and 3RBI in 18 games for the Bisons. Francisco appeared in 16 spring training games as he hit .362 (17-47) with 8 runs scored, 3 doubles, 3HR and 9RBI. He wears #12 and will be in uniform tonight when the Indians take on the Kansas City Royals at 8:10PM EST in Kauffman Stadium.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.