David

Riske

Riske’s son Payton, born April 7, had to undergo surgery to correct a kidney abnormality and is not out of the woods yet. “This season is the first time I’ve ever worried about something that happened off the field while I was on the field,” Riske said. We hope it all turns out well for the Riskes. Don’t count Riske out of the Indians closing pitcure for next season.

Riske is 2-2 with one save, a 2.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 58/15 K/BB in 57 innings. If the Indians had a better offense he might have vultured a few more wins by now. Riske looks like somebody’s future closer, and would be valuable if anything happened to Danys Baez.

He appears to have righted himself after a disastrous start, and is just another Jose Jimenez blown save away from possibly reclaiming his closer’s role.

How does Riske get four games and Shigetoshi Hasegawa only get fined for throwing at Grady Sizemore earlier in the contest? Is it because he doesn’t throw as hard? Or because he didn’t take aim at a superstar? Riske hit Ichiro intentionally, but it was in the back; he wasn’t headhunting. It’s ridiculous how the same violations draw different penalties. MLB has a lot of things that need fixing and the guidelines regarding suspensions are near the top of the list.

That means he can pitch until his hearing. Teammate Kevin Millwood didn’t appeal his own suspension, and started serving it yesterday.

He’ll avoid being optioned to Triple-A tomorrow. Sidney Ponson hit back-to-back batters in the sixth inning, prompting the response. Ozzie Guillen was also tossed.

If Riske is healthy, he’ll be one of the league’s better middle relievers, and the White Sox are getting him for a left-hander they clearly had no intention of ever using. It looks like another winner for Ken Williams.

Riske hasn’t pitched in the majors since April 5 because of a back injury. He’ll work in middle relief.

Riske appears to be ready to return. He will likely be activated from the disabled list early this week.

Riske is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery last June. The 33-year-old right-hander has already made a series of appearances in extended spring training games. Barring any setbacks, he could be a factor at some point this summer.