Indians’ Carrasco pitches for 1st time since cancer finding

By: The Associated Press Posted: 8:30 PM CDT Monday, Aug. 19, 2019 Last Modified: 9:55 PM CDT Monday, Aug. 19, 2019

AKRON, Ohio - Carlos Carrasco shook off some nerves and returned to the mound.

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AKRON, Ohio - Carlos Carrasco shook off some nerves and returned to the mound.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/08/2019 (2273 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AKRON, Ohio – Carlos Carrasco shook off some nerves and returned to the mound.

Two months after being diagnosed with leukemia, everything felt mostly normal for the Indians right-hander.

“It was really special today,” Carrasco said. “Just coming back today out of the bullpen, it feels great.”

FILE - In this May 25, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco delivers against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland. Indians right-hander Carrasco has returned to the mound in the minor leagues as he tries to come back after being diagnosed with leukemia. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)

Carrasco, who still hopes to pitch for Cleveland again this season, threw one inning of relief Monday night for Double-A Akron against Harrisburg. It was his first outing since being diagnosed in June with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of cancer.

When he jogged in from the bullpen, Carrasco received a standing ovation from fans at Canal Park. He got another one after striking out his final batter to end the inning.

Carrasco admitted having some jitters beforehand. But once he threw his first pitch, the butterflies were gone.

“Right away I looked back to the scoreboard because I just wanted to find out what was that pitch, and it was 97 (mph),” Carrasco said. “It feels great.”

The 32-year-old is scheduled to pitch again for Akron on Thursday, and he and the Indians will then decide his next step.

His teammates — and Cleveland fans — have rallied around Carrasco. During the All-Star Game in July, he appeared on the field during Major League Baseball’s “Stand Up To Cancer” tribute, and “I Stand With Cookie” T-shirts have become popular around town.

Carrasco said he was touched by the support he received from Akron’s fans.

“Those people were the ones behind me the whole way from day one to now,” Carrasco said.

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