Danny Salazar Set to Make 1st Start of Season for Indians on Thursday

Danny Salazar hasn’t started a game on the mound for the Cleveland Indians since 2017, but that is about to change.

The Tribe has announced that Salazar is expected to make his 2019 MLB debut this Thursday Aug. 1, against the Houston Astros.

Danny Salazar will start for the #Indians on Thursday. He has been stretched to 70 pitches and Adam Plutko will come out of the bullpen that night if needed.
— P.J. ZIEGLER (@PJFOX8) July 30, 2019

Salazar sat out all of last year after undergoing season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, but finally appears ready to go.

However, according to team manager Terry Francona, the former All-Star will be on a pitch count for precautionary reasons.

Salazar has impressed in two rehab starts for Triple-A Columbus, allowing 4 hits in 7.1 scoreless innings of work. His fastball is currently sitting at around 92 mph, which isn’t as fast as it used to be.

Danny Salazar discusses his rehab start July 11 at Akron. pic.twitter.com/pLnFf9a2ZU
— David S. Glasier (@nhglasier) July 12, 2019

His best season as a pro came in 2015 when he maintained a 3.45 ERA with 195 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP. Yet, it would be naive to expect this kind of production from Salazar right out of the gate, or possibly even at all.

He's a few seasons, and injuries, away from being the hurler was during his All-Star campaign, and it'll take him some time to shake off the rust. Hopefully he can be effective for the Tribe in his first time back on a major league mound since 2017.