CLEVELAND _ There was a time last month when Danny Salazar thought his season was over, that the injection into his aching right arm wasn't working fast enough and that his odds of a postseason appearance of any kind had passed.
Yet there he was back on the mound at Progressive Field on Wednesday pitching in Game 2 of the World Series. The velocity was back, but not quite the control. It's perhaps part of the reason why Indians manager Terry Francona seems comfortable leaving him in this unfamiliar reliever role despite Trevor Bauer's struggles in the starting rotation.
As this World Series shifts to Wrigley Field tied 1-1, the Indians at least know they have another power arm available if Bauer or another starter falters. Game 3 is Friday.
"I think there's potentially five games left," Francona said. "I think we're probably better served using (Salazar) out of the bullpen."
