Bauer, Gimenez bonding as batterymates

BALTIMORE — On a recent morning in Kansas City, Trevor Bauer was navigating one of his personal drones up and over a large tree in a local park. As the Indians pitcher maneuvered the machine near the top branches, it nicked a limb and became wedged among the leaves.

With no immediate solution for retrieving the drone, Bauer retreated to the ballpark for the day. When he learned about the predicament, Cleveland catcher Chris Gimenez offered to help.

“I told him that I could get it down in an instant,” Gimenez said. “He was like, ‘No, we’re a team. If you fall out of the tree and can’t play, then I can’t pitch.'”

Asked about the conversation, Bauer cracked a smile.

“Yeah, if he goes on the DL, I’d have to go on the DL,” Bauer said. “We’re basically a package deal now.”

The Indians have waited for several seasons to finally see the best of Bauer. This year, the right-hander has blossomed, both due to a lot of extensive work done behind the scenes and an altered approach to his pitch repertoire. Beyond that, though, Bauer credits some of his success to Gimenez, who has been an unsung hero since his arrival in May.

Indians manager Terry Francona does not like to use the term “personal catcher,” because slapping that kind of a label on a player can pigeonhole a team. But if it works, it works. Gimenez was acquired from Texas on May 4 and he first caught Bauer on May 5. They have been partners on the field ever since, and Bauer has thrived in the way the Tribe has always envisioned.

“Gimenez has done such a good job of getting Trevor to buy in, or trust,” Francona said. “I think it’s helped a lot. … [Gimenez] did a really good job of not just making a one-day effort. It’s every day. I see them talking on the bench all the time.”

When it became clear to Gimenez that he would be catching Bauer …

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