Tribe Observations

I’m going on the record to say that I don’t think he’s a bad pitcher.  He can be good when he is healthy.  The concern should be once he is able to return, can he stay healthy?  It seems to be a problem with him and that is a shame.  He is going to wind up being that type of pitcher that you always are going to wonder what could have been in his case.  It is not far-fetched to believe that.

To say he’ll come back for sure and be the pitcher they need would be a great thing but it is not reality.  Tommy John Surgery is a very serious surgery and I highly doubt he’ll ever be the same again.  Most likely I could see him moved out of the rotation and into the bullpen working only at least 2 innings but no more than 4 tops assuming he can handle that.

I will state that if he receives another injury, he may for his own health, have to consider retirement from the game itself.  He could have been a solid pitcher for the Indians and might have been possibly that #3 starter that Cleveland will need going into Spring Training.

Bottom line and this is a shame, if you can’t stay healthy to be a starter, then for your own safety, then you shouldn’t be doing so.  Jake Westbrook isn’t a bad pitcher, just an unhealthy one.  I wish he could be healthy but I guess it isn’t meant for that.  Cleveland had better prepare themselves with looking at the market to see if they can find maybe a healthy arm or two just to see what happens.  You can’t expect him back so soon.

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