Carrasco fractures hand two pitches into start

CLEVELAND — Two pitches into Saturday’s 1-0 walk-off win against the Tigers, Cleveland’s rotation was hit with a major setback.

A line drive off the bat of Ian Kinsler struck the pitching hand of Indians righty Carlos Carrasco, forcing the pitcher out of the crucial divisional clash with Detroit. Carrasco underwent X-rays off-site during the game and was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal, which is a bone in the hand located below the pinky finger.

The Indians announced that there is currently no timetable for return for Carrasco, who is the team’s No. 2 starter behind ace Corey Kluber. That duo is not only one of the best one-two punches in the game, but also a reason many felt Cleveland could not only contend for a division crown, but for a World Series title this season.

The Tribe is closing in on its first American League Central crown in nine years, but it is now likely facing an October without Carrasco in the rotation. Cleveland entered Saturday with a seven-game lead over the Tigers and a magic number of nine to clinch the division, so the sight of Carrasco walking off the field with a trainer was troubling to say the least for the team.

The roar that arrived …

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