Salazar throws sim game, could pitch in Series

CLEVELAND — Wild Thing might just be the Indians’ wild card for the World Series.

During Sunday’s workout, right-hander Danny Salazar took the mound at Progressive Field as the song, “Wild Thing,” blared through the stadium’s sound system. The hard-throwing starter then worked through a three-inning simulated game, taking another important step in his potential return from a strained right forearm, and in his quest to make the World Series roster.

• World Series Game 1: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET air time | 8 ET game time on FOX

“We’re going to evaluate where he’s at, what his stuff looked like,” Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. “I expect that, if he gets through this, he’ll be available at some point in the World Series.”

• Shop for Indians World Series and AL champs gear

Salazar met briefly with reporters before his sim game and said that he was feeling close to full strength. The right-hander, who has not started since Sept. 9, when he exited an outing against the Twins with the forearm injury, noted that he has been throwing fastballs, changeups and sliders in his recent mound workouts.

During the American League Division Series, Salazar continued his throwing program in Arizona, where he faced hitters for the first time since the injury. The pitcher then joined the Indians during the AL Championship Series in Toronto, where he threw a two-inning sim game. On Sunday, the righty faced an assortment of Cleveland’s regular batters with two breaks between his innings.

Game Date Time (air time/game time) Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 25 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX Gm 2 Oct. 26 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX Gm 3 Oct. 28 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX Gm 4 Oct. 29 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX *Gm 5 Oct. 30 8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX *Gm 6 Nov. 1 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX *Gm 7 Nov. 2 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX * If necessary | All times listed ET • World Series coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Indians

“[I feel] really strong right now,” Salazar said. “The way I feel …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com