Kevin

Slowey

The 22-year-old Slowey needs to be in Double-A. He’s 3-1 with a 1.19 ERA, 45 H and 87/5 K/BB in 75 2/3 IP for Fort Myers.

The bad outing comes after Slowey allowed just two runs in seven innings in each of his past two starts. Now the owner of a 6.07 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, he’ll get the Indians at home his next time out.

Gomez exited Friday’s game after making a sliding catch at first base to complete a double play. No word on the severity of the injury, but Kevin Slowey would have the final spot in the rotation locked up if he needs to begin the season on the disabled list.

Gomez left Friday’s game after making a sliding catch at first base to complete a double play. The Indians can skip the fifth starter in the first turn of the rotation because of scheduled off-days, so Gomez hasn’t officially been ruled out. Kevin Slowey could still beat him out for the job, though.

Huff strained his right hamstring Thursday while pitching in a split-squad game. Now that he’s essentially eliminated from the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, Acta will have to decide between either Kevin Slowey or Jeanmar Gomez. He is expected to make an announcement Saturday.

He struck out a pair and also threw two wild pitches. The big blow came in the form of a mammoth three-run homer by Brett Pill in Slowey’s last inning of work. The right-hander’s spring ERA jumped to 6.75. He’s not doing himself any favors as he competes for a spot at the end of the Tribe’s starting rotation.

Slowey had to strand a few runners, but at least all four hits he gave up were singles. The former Twin is an option to fill in at the back of the Indians rotation until Roberto Hernandez is ready, though he’s coming off a woeful season where he posted a 6.67 ERA over 14 appearances.

Slowey allowed 19 hits and nine runs in 12 innings this spring. He’ll act as rotation depth this year.

It’s not clear how long he might be out, but obviously he won’t be considered for a promotion if the Indians should need a starter in the next few days. Slowey was one of the last spring training cuts after failing to make the rotation.

Slowey got knocked around by a split-squad Angels lineup, and is now the owner of an ugly 5.63 ERA through his first eight Cactus League frames. Even if he cracks the Indians’ Opening Day rotation, he won’t be a fantasy option outside of deeper AL-only leagues.