Carlos Hyde suspended at least three games
July 30, 2013Rzepcynski in, Pestano Out – here is why
July 31, 2013In a shocking move, following Tuesday night’s win against the White Sox, the Indians optioned former setup man Vinnie Pestano to Triple-A Columbus in order to make room on the 25-man roster for newly acquired left-handed reliever Marc Rzepczynski.
#Indians players saying their goodbyes to RHP Vinnie Pestano. Appears he was either traded or sent down.
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) July 31, 2013
When I approached #Indians RHP Vinnie Pestano he told me, "Talk to Tito [Francona] or talk to Chris [Antonetti]." Didn't look happy.
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) July 31, 2013
#Indians RHP Vinnie Pestano looked very emotional. Saying some goodbyes, not sure if he's simply been optioned down to Triple-A or traded.
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) July 31, 2013
https://twitter.com/VinnieP52/status/362411906620850176
Pestano has been the team’s primary eighth inning setup guy for the past three seasons. However, this season, elbow soreness landed him on the disabled list, and he hasn’t returned to his previous form.
In 34 appearances this year, Pestano is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 6 saves while filling in for the injured Chris Perez. However, his walk numbers are way up and his strikeout numbers and velocity are down. Pestano has already walked 19 batters and struck out only 34 after walking just 24 in each of the previous two seasons. Vinnie has pitched just three times in the last 17 days, with two of those appearances coming in blowouts. Therefore, the move is likely made with the idea to get him more work at Triple-A Columbus in higher leverage situations without it affecting the streaking ballclub.
Bryan Shaw in the bullpen had options as well, but he is pitching much better recently overall than Pestano. Rzepczynski gives the Tribe a second left-handed bullpen option in addition to Rich Hill.
Related: Carlos Moncrief, Cleveland Most’s Surprising 2013 Prospect
10 Comments
has anyone checked in on jon?
Thank you, World Baseball Classic.
I get that he’s emotional about it – and I’m glad that he is; but this makes all the sense in the world. I’m looking forward to seeing him back, and strong, even if it’s next year.
Mixed feelings – he deserves to be a major leaguer. But, something isn’t right with him, clearly, and we’re in contention. We can’t give games away because we have a misguided loyalty.
He’ll probably be back when the roster expands in September. (unless he gets worse) They probably view this as his best shot at getting regular work in and working things out for the stretch run.
i just checked in on my john, it’s fully operational even after the bombardment I put on it!
Go get right Vinny the team simply cannot afford to have you trying to fix whatever is ailing you in the midst of playoff contention. Especially not when the FO best is a Cardinals castoff who was floundering in the minors.
seems Francona took another look after the little hiatus and didn’t like his stuff any better than before. If they’re doing this with the pen so iffy something is clearly unfixable. I’m guessing next spring no way they let key guys pitch in the WBC.
Jeez. This year is feeling more and more like 2007 every day. Sans the big offensive numbers, the Cy Young Award Winner and the rookie wildcard that came from nowhere(unless we bring Danny Sal back up). Hopefully Vinnie will iron things out like Lee did and comeback to win the Cy Young next year
“Misguided loyalty.” Is that the artistic title of the Thome statue?
But, but, Pestano is one of us!