GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- After going 5-3 and having a 1.30 ERA the final two months of last season, Carlos Carrasco had one goal early in spring training -- rediscover that aggressive mentality.
The right-hander has thrown 14 bullpen sessions and got his first game action on Thursday, throwing two innings in a "B" game against the Reds. Despite a rocky second inning, where he allowed three runs on four hits, Carrasco took some positive things out of the game. He hit 97 with his fastball a couple times and also had good command of his offspeed pitches.
Carrasco said he threw more bullpen sessions than usual at this point so that he could be aggressive early and have the same mentality that he carried from the bullpen back to the rotation.
"I feel great. I've got the first game in, and now it is time to go back to watch video and learn from it," he said.
Carrasco will pitch on Monday when the Tribe faces Seattle.
FLOYD UPDATE: Terry Francona said on Friday that Gavin Floyd was pushed back a couple days due to general soreness but is not concerned yet about his status for the start of the season.
"He has been throwing surprisingly well, maybe too well. We want to make sure he is built to last.," Francona said. "We've been harping on him that once he starts he wants to feel real good and have a base to build off. The ball is coming out of his hand so well. We want to take advantage of whatever we can to help him have a good year."
Floyd's first outing is likely to be a minor-league or "B" game sometime next week.
"We want this to work. I would rather have someone make 28 good starts compared to 33 when limping. If we're not deep enough to cover that then shame on us," Francona said.
INFIELD WORK: Lonnie Chisenhall had a little bit of a rough day on Thursday. During the second inning, he misplayed a Josh Satin grounder, which allowed Jay Bruce to score. He nearly had another error on a Eugenio Suarez grounder but got it in front of him and recovered to throw to first for the out.
Chisenhall led the Indians in errors last season with 18.
"He has to have the right mindset and stay in attack mode. He has to watch the ball hit and be aggressive with the first step," said Francona about what Chisenhall needs to do this season to improve on defense. "I thought he got a little bit stiff on the second grounder but he stayed with it and made a nice play at first."
With the Tribe regulars getting their three at-bats early on Thursday, the infielders were out of the game early and got some extra fielding work on a side field at the team's complex.
