Impact Analysis: Joe Borowski, Cleveland Indians

April 18, 2008
00:11:42

By Fraser Lovat
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

Fantasy owners entered this season treating the Cleveland Indians' Joe Borowski (triceps) like the kryptonite of closers, and with good reason. As Cleveland's reliever of choice in the ninth inning, he nailed down 45 games for one of the league's best squads. However, he posted a 5.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in the process. It's hard to swallow numbers like those, in addition to only 58 K's in 65 2/3 innings, from a relief pitcher.

Now, however, folks may have an answer to why Borowski has been so bad - other than the fact that he's not very good. Borowski (triceps) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, April 16, with a strained right triceps. He had been wondering what was causing a significant loss in his velocity, which was hovering in the low 80s. Is this injury the answer?

Borowski's injury

According to reports, the Indians were aware that Borowski had a triceps problem in mid-March, when he suffered an injury in an exhibition contest against the Washington Nationals. The club thought it was just a strain and that he was working his way back from it.

Last year's American League saves leader said he felt like he was going out to the mound with an unloaded gun, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer. He said that one day he would feel great, and then the next day he would feel like he was throwing through water. Borowski is not worried that his arm is seriously damaged, though, and a recent magnetic resonance image showed nothing beyond inflammation. However, manager Eric Wedge said Borowski could be gone as long as one month.

Borowski found himself on the DL a day after blowing his second consecutive save of the season, giving up a two-run home run to Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez in the ninth inning. In five appearances and four innings pitched so far this season, he has surrendered seven hits, eight runs, three home runs and four walks compared to only three strikeouts. He has an 18.00 ERA, 2.75 WHIP and as many saves as losses (two).

Wedge made a commitment to Borowski upon his return from the disabled list, whenever that may be. "He's our closer. He has proven himself," Wedge said.

Who's next?

Indians manager Eric Wedge told the Columbus Dispatch that the team has several potential candidates to close games, but Rafael Betancourt leads the list. Wedge mentioned relief pitchers Jensen Lewis, Rafael Perez, Jorge Julio and Masahide Kobayashi as possibilities, but he stated he's not ready to throw Julio and Kobayashi in there right away.

For now, Betancourt takes over as the closer. Betancourt is a 32-year-old flame-thrower from Venezuela and started his career with the Indians in 2003. Since joining the team in 2003, Betancourt has pitched 316 1/3 innings, with a 20-16 record and 12 saves to his credit. He has a lifetime 2.85 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Last season, he set career highs in innings pitched (79 1/3) and strikeouts (80) while also recording a 5-1 record. He converted three of six save opportunities, with 31 holds and a 1.48 ERA. He has only converted 12 of 29 career save opportunities, although it's likely most of them were not traditional save situations.

His 2008 campaign has been solid. The Venezuelan has appeared in seven games and has pitched eight innings, recording eight strikeouts compared to only one walk. Betancourt is 1-0 with two holds. His ERA is 4.50 after giving up 11 hits, four runs and two home runs in the same span.

Lewis, 23, was a third-round choice in the 2005 draft. He was considered one of the organization's top 10 prospects entering the season. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he has an array of pitches and does a good job of attacking hitters. Lewis posted a 1.85 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 49 strikeouts in 39 innings at Double-A Akron last year. He then allowed two earned runs with 12 strikeouts in 13 innings at Triple-A Buffalo. He saved two games combined at the two stops. In Lewis' first taste of the majors, in 2007, he put up a 2.15 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings of work. His lack of experience probably keeps him from consideration for the role any time soon. This season he has allowed five earned runs, two home runs, 11 hits and six walks while fanning eight in 9 2/3 innings.

Perez is a 25-year-old southpaw with fairly nasty stuff. In his big-league career, he has a 2.52 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and 83 K's in 78 2/3 innings. This season, he has given up four earned runs, one homer, seven hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings; he has struck out six. Last season, Perez's 1.78 ERA and 0.92 WHIP proved that he was a valuable commodity in the bullpen. Unfortunately, Wedge may only view him as more of a situational lefty and setup man.

Kobayashi, who has saved games in Japan with the Chiba Lotte Marines, also is an option for the Indians. He has pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on nine hits. He has four strikeouts compared to one walk. Wedge seemed to imply that he wouldn't want to turn to the import in such situations in the immediate future.

The only pitcher on the Indians roster with extensive major league closing experience is Julio, who has 99 career saves but none since 2006. This year Julio has appeared in six games, with eight innings of relief work. He has a 5.63 ERA with six strikeouts and five walks. He has given up one home run and five runs on eight hits. Like Kobayashi, Wedge seemed hesitant to turn to Julio any time soon.

The Indians recalled pitcher Tom Mastny from Triple-A Buffalo of the International League to replace Borowski on the roster. Mastny pitched 1 1/3 innings Wednesday, April 16, against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks. He also struck out two batters. He has five career saves, all coming in 2006, but he's not an option for Cleveland right now.

Fantasy outlook

Owners of Borowski should stash him in a DL spot; a closer is too valuable to drop, and Wedge remains committed to him. They should also look to pick up Betancourt if he is available; he should hold onto the role as closer while Borowski is out. Be sure to keep an eye on the Indians bullpen situation, though, because if Betancourt struggles, Wedge may be forced to go to another option. His allegiance to Borowski suggests otherwise, however.

If Betancourt isn't available, try a couple of other names. Fantasy owners in shallow leagues still be able to grab Baltimore Orioles closer George Sherrill. He has saved six games already this season in 6 2/3 innings pitched while recording a win, five strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA.

Another option is Washington Nationals reliever Jon Rauch. The team is keeping him in the closer role until it feels confident that Chad Cordero shows that he's ready to handle the job. Cordero recently returned from the disabled list after battling shoulder problems, and he has displayed a significant lack of velocity.

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