Kazuhito

Tadano

He has received injections in his back to relieve the pain that caused him to miss the final three weeks of the season. Tadano will probably be used as a reliever if he makes the Indians next season.

This list includes the club’s best prospects who aren’t yet on the 40-man roster. Tadano and Denney are the only two players here with a chance of making the team and both are longshots. Tadano is a quality relief prospect and likely will join the Cleveland bullpen after a few months in Triple-A.

“This is a guy [Tadano] who has primarily been a bullpen guy since we’ve had him,” Wedge said. “You have to take a look at the workload. Between him and Durbin, you have to determine who’s better suited to start and who’s better suited for the bullpen. That’s what we’re looking at right now.” Jason Davis isn’t viewed as a possible replacement.

Tadano deserved a better fate, but he will be back in Cleveland later this season.

Tadano, who came over from the Indians in a trade earlier this season, was 0-2 with a 9.62 ERA in nine games, three starts, at Triple-A Sacramento. His struggles could result in him clearing waivers.

“We’re hoping that rest and an epidural injection will correct the situation,” trainer Lonnie Soloff said. “If not, then he will undergo season-ending surgery.”

Tadano might not pitch again this season.

Tadano has a bulging disc in his back that will require surgery.

Tadano will work in the middle innings for now. He might get some starts next month, but it’s Jason Davis who figures to take Chad Durbin’s rotation spot.

The Indians only need a fifth starter on the 14th or 18th of September and then again during the last week of the season. Tadano, who the Tribe still view as a multiple-role pitcher, and Kyle Denney (if Buffalo is no longer in the playoffs) are being considered to make those starts.