CLEVELAND (AP) Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco will undergo additional tests on his bruised right elbow after he was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday.
Carrasco was struck by Joe Mauer's line drive in the second inning of Saturday's 9-3 loss to Minnesota. The injury is a big blow for the Indians, whose strong rotation has kept them on top of the AL Central.
The 31-year-old Carrasco, who is 8-5 with a 4.24 ERA in 15 starts, will have imaging procedures Monday to determine if he sustained more serious damage, including whether he has a fracture.
''That's what they would certainly be looking for,'' manager Terry Francona said. ''So far they're calling it a contusion, which would be fortunate and we'd be really happy with.''
Francona is hoping the tests will provide more clarity to the situation.
''They're going to try and get the swelling down and take care of some of the trauma,'' he said. ''We hope to know exactly what's going on in there or what isn't going on.''
Carrasco has been one of the most consistent starters in the AL, going 43-26 over the last three seasons, including 18-6 in 2017.
Carrasco was hit in the face by a line drive in 2015, but made his next turn in the rotation. He broke his right hand after being hit by a line drive late in the 2016 season and missed the playoffs.
Cleveland's starters have helped offset one of the worst bullpens in the majors. Andrew Miller is on the disabled list with right knee inflammation and the team doesn't know when he'll return. He was also on the DL earlier this season with a strained left hamstring.
Cleveland also recalled right-hander Shane Bieber from Triple-A Columbus to make his second major league start Sunday. Left-hander Tyler Olson was placed on the DL with a strained back muscle, and right-hander Evan Marshall was recalled from Columbus.
Right-hander Adam Plutko was scheduled to start Sunday, but pitched two innings Saturday. Francona used six relievers, including outfielder Brandon Guyer in the ninth.
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