CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians and their improved bullpen will host the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night at Progressive Field in the second game of a three-game series.The Royals won the first game 5-1 on Monday to extend their season-high winning streak to six games. The Indians have lost three in a row.One of the major reasons for Cleveland’s improved bullpen is the addition of veteran Oliver Perez http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-josh-tomlin-jersey , who was signed by the Indians on June 2 after he was released by the New York Yankees.Article continues below ...The 37-year-old left-hander has pitched for eight major league teams in his 16-year career, and since joining the Indians, he has been one of the top relievers in the American League.In 40 appearances with the Indians, Perez has a 1.08 ERA while averaging 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings and holding opposing batters to a .120 batting average.Perez’s 1.08 ERA is the second lowest among AL relievers, and it’s the lowest ever by an Indians reliever with a minimum of 40 appearances.“He’s been terrific,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He’s held his stuff so well. We’ve allowed him to face right-handed hitters Carlos Carrasco Jersey , and he’s been great. It doesn’t matter what inning we bring him in. We use him when it makes the most sense. When he’s in the game, there’s a lot of importance going on.”Tuesday’s pitching matchup features Royals left-hander Danny Duffy and Indians right-hander Mike Clevinger. Based on Duffy’s history with Cleveland, the Indians are one of his least favorite opponents.In 18 career appearances (14 starts) against Cleveland, Duffy is 2-9 with a 5.38 ERA. The only team that has hung more losses on Duffy than Cleveland is Detroit (10).In three starts against the Indians this year, Duffy is 0-3 with a 10.80 ERA. His last start against Cleveland came July 3, a 6-4 loss in which he pitched six innings Roy Oswalt Jersey , giving up six runs and eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks.Duffy won his last start, a 9-2 decision over the Tigers on Aug. 29. In that game, he pitched six innings, allowing one run and two hits with six strikeouts and three walks. In four starts in August, Duffy was 1-2 with a 6.04 ERA.Clevinger is an unsung member of a Cleveland starting rotation whose 3.40 ERA ranks second in the AL, trailing only Houston (3.20).Clevinger ranks seventh in the league in innings pitched (170 1/3) and eighth in ERA. He hasn’t lost since July 28. In six starts since then http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-carlos-lee-jersey , he is 3-0 with a 2.21 ERA. Clevinger’s last start was a 5-3 win over Minnesota on Aug. 30, when he pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up no earned runs and four hits with nine strikeouts and one walk.The last time Clevinger faced the Royals was Aug. 24, a 5-4 Indians loss, which was not charged to Clevinger. In that game, he pitched six innings J.R. Richard Jersey , allowing three runs and four hits, with eight strikeouts and two walks.In eight career appearances (seven starts) against Kansas City, Clevinger is 4-0 with a 2.49 ERA.The Indians on Monday placed third baseman Josh Donaldson on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left calf. Donaldson was acquired in a trade with Toronto on Aug. 31. The Los Angeles Angels announcedWednesday that an MRI on two-way star Shohei Ohtani's right (throwing) elbow showed new damage to his ulnar collateral ligament. The announcement noted "UCL reconstruction surgery is the recommended plan."Ohtani suffered asprained UCL in his right elbow in early June, which caused him to miss nearly a full month of action and raised questions about potential Tommy John surgery at the time.When healthy, the 24-year-old has been a revelation for the Angels this season. He has slashed .276/.355/.547 with 16 home runs and 44 RBIas a hitter and a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 51.2 inningsas a pitcher.Despite this development, Patrick O'Neal of Fox Sports West noted he Ohtani is in Wednesday's lineup against the Texas Rangers. O'Neal pointed out "It鈥檚 undetermined when or even if he will have elbow reconstructive surgery."Angels GM Billy Eppler said Ohtani hasn't decided if he wants to have the surgery and added that it's too early to tell if Ohtani will be able to return as a hitter in 2019 http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-altuve-jersey , per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.He immediately became one of MLB's most exciting players because of his two-way abilities, and he gave the Angels a formidable pitcher and hitter who provided power and consistency. It's difficult not to be concerned about his long-term health after this latest setback, though.Though the Angels would assuredly like to end the 2018 season on a high note, it's more important for Ohtani to be fully healthy by the time he enters his prime.Expect the team to exercise caution at least in terms of when he pitches so the rare two-way talent can capitalize on his potential over the course of his major league career.
