If you're worried about the Indians starting rotation this year, what about next year? The rotation is in need of help -- lots of it.
View full sizeMitch Talbot has struggled to return to form after spending time on the disabled list with a back injury.Fausto Carmona, if he's still here, will be the No. 1 starter.
After that, there's nothing but questions.
Should the Indians go out and sign a veteran starter to fill the role that Jake Westbrook held this year and Carl Pavano held the year before? It deserves some consideration.
Who comes after that?
Rookie Mitch Talbot had a promising first half. Then he went on the disabled list with a strained back. He hasn't been the same since being activated Aug. 14. He's 0-2 in his past four starts and hasn't won since June 27.
Justin Masterson has been in the rotation all year. He's one of three Tribe starters to lose 11 or more games. Masterson is 5-12, Talbot is 8-11 and Carmona is 11-13. But the Indians still aren't saying if the 6-6, 250-pound Masterson is going to start or relieve next year.
"We're going to send him home after this season as a starter," Acta said.
Decision time on Masterson could take place during the winter. It will depend on what kind of moves, if any, the Indians make to improve a rotation that entered Thursday's game against the Mariners at 36-61 with the third highest ERA (4.66) in the AL.
Indians starters have walked the most batters in the AL, while striking out the fewest. Opposing batters are hitting .281 against the starters, the second-highest average in the AL. To make matters worse, Indians starters have pitched the third fewest innings in the AL.
View full sizeReliever Chris Perez says he's not upset that he wasn't called upon for a four-out save on Wednesday.This is a rotation in need of help.
"We need to get where we have at least seven guys who can start," said Acta. "Every major-league club wants that. When it comes to No. 2 and all of that, it all depends what's on the market. You know, that's not part of my job description."
After Masterson, there are rookies Josh Tomlin, Jeanmar Gomez and newly arrived Carlos Carrasco. Alex White, the Indians' No. 1 pick in 2009, and recently acquired Zach McAllister could be in the wings next year. McAllister, in fact, could be called up later this month depending on the fate of Class AAA Columbus' playoff hopes.
Acta said that more pitchers will be called up from Columbus in the near future. He would not say if they'd be starters or relievers, but the overworked bullpen is sagging.
No problem: Closer Chris Perez wasn't sure if Acta would call on him for a four-out save in the eighth inning in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to Chicago. Acta went with Justin Germano instead and he gave up a three-run homer to Paul Konerko to erase the Tribe's 4-2 lead.
"I'm not mad or anything," said Perez. "I know it would have been different if we were three games out."
Acta said he didn't go with Perez because he didn't want to put him in harm's way. Perez threw 27 pitches Monday against the White Sox. He threw 14 more Saturday against the Royals and worked a five-out save against Oakland on Aug. 26.
Germano relieved Rafael Perez. He walked a batter and then gave up the three-run homer to Konerko.
"I think I let the situation get the best of me," said Germano. "I think I had more adrenaline than I needed. My body was way ahead of my arm. I just missed the location.
"It was the first time I'd been in that kind of situation, and I'm certainly not putting any blame on that, but I let my emotions get scattered."
On the bench: Matt LaPorta (left hip) missed his fourth straight start Thursday. He took batting practice before the game and was available to pinch hit.
"Our training staff still doesn't feel he's ready to be on the field," said Acta.
LaPorta, injured Sunday, could start tonight.
Changes: Carrasco, who pitched well in his 2010 debut with the Indians, worked closely with pitching coach Charles Nagy at Class AAA Columbus.
"He asked me once if he could make a suggestion to change my mechanics a little," said Carrasco. "I said, 'Yes.' So I started turning a little bit more. The first time in the game, I felt a little more comfortable, a little more in control of my fastball so I could hit all my spots."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158