CINCINNATI -- The Indians, in their first official statement about right-hander Carlos Carrasco’s illness, said he is suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia. Carrasco, according to the team, has been cleared to resume conditioning and throwing activities to the extend he can tolerate them.
As manager Terry Francona said Saturday, there is still no timetable on Carrasco’s possible return to the mound for the Indians this season.
Here are the key points to the Indians’ statement:
*Carrasco, 32, was examined at Cleveland Clinic on June 2 because of abnormalities in his blood work from his spring training physical.
*He was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.
*He has been cleared to resume conditioning and throwing workouts to the extent he can tolerate them.
*He is being examined regularly and there is no timetable for his return to game action.
The news of Carrasco’s illness broke Friday after he gave an interview to a TV reporter in the Dominican Republic. On Saturday, the Indians released a video of Carrasco explaining his illness.
Carrasco was scheduled to start against the Twins on June 5, but the Indians issued a statement saying he was stepping away from the game to get treatment on a “blood condition.” Carrasco’s last start was May 30 against the White Sox.
Here’s what Jason Kipnis, Carrasco’s long-time teammate, had to say about him: "We’re a family, and we’re going to rally around him and support him as much as we can. It’s not an easy thing. It’s not something we’re used to having happen.
“There’s no book to go by on how to handle situations like this. I think the best thing we can do is be there for him and support him.”
Kipnis and Carrasco have been teammates on the Indians since 2011, when Kipnis made his big league debut.
“We want to make sure he still feels like part of the team since he’s going to be away," said Kipnis. "When you’re away, you tend to feel you’re not there because you’re not helping. We just have to remind him that we’re all thinking about him and we all miss him. We’ll keep healthy thoughts for him and we’ll be with him through it all.”
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