What Happened to James Karinchak? Who Is The Indians Closer?

James Karinchak continues rehabbing from a shoulder injury.

James Karinchak was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Karinchak has been dealing with a shoulder strain since spring training but has been pitching in Columbus over the last month.

With the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Karinchak appeared in 27 games, compiling a 1-2 record with a 2.67 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched in 2021, he pitched to a 7-4 record and a 4.07 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 32 walks in 55 1/3 innings.

Who Is The Indians Closer?

James Karinchak looked a little shaky in his first outing of 2021. He tossed a scoreless eighth inning with his team trailing but threw just nine of his 17 pitches for strikes.