by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4:05 pm ET) When Chris Perez went on the DL with a strained rotator cuff May 27, many Fantasy owners rushed to pick up his replacement, Vinnie Pestano, wondering if he could turn this short-term opportunity into a long-term role.
Three weeks later, Perez is on the verge of returning, and Pestano still has just one save to his name. We'll never know what might have been if Pestano had pulled an Andrew Bailey, piling up half a dozen saves as a stand-in. The Indians didn't win enough to see what he could do in the role, so you have to assume they'll revert to what made him comfortable in the first place.
Come Friday, Perez will be back to closing for the Indians, and Pestano will be no more than waiver fodder in Fantasy.
Vinnie Pestano notches first save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/16/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano recorded his first save Sunday against the Nationals after taking the loss in his last outing Saturday.
Pestano walked a batter, but needed 11 pitches to get three outs for his first save of the season with Chris Perez still on the shelf. His ERA is at 4.26.
Pestano was tabbed as the interim closer, but has gone just 1 for 3 in save opportunities.
Not excited about Vinnie Pestano
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/28/2013) Coming into the season, the Indians' Vinnie Pestano ranked high on my list of setup men who could become closers midseason. Now, with Chris Perez sidelined by right shoulder soreness, his time has come.
So why am I not rushing to pick him up? He's not altogether himself. Having just returned from a DL stint for a sore right elbow, his fastball is reaching only the high 80s, about 4-5 mph lower than usual. And considering he allowed four earned runs over an inning of work last time out, he's missing that velocity.
Of course, two of his first three appearances off the DL were scoreless, so perhaps other factors contributed to his struggles Saturday. But a pitcher still working up to midseason form might not find himself fast enough to take advantage of what could end up being a minimal DL stay.
The only way I pick up Pestano is if he's the only option for saves on the wire.
Vinnie Pestano tabbed interim closer
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/27/2013) Indians manager Terry Francona said Monday that reliver Vinnie Pestano will be the first option to close games with Chris Perez on the disabled list. That honor will not go to Joe Smith or Cody Allen, MLB.com reports.
The 28-year-old Pestano just blew his second save after he allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over an inning in Boston Saturday. He's gone 1-1 with four holds, two blown saves and a 5.25 ERA.
Cleveland in search of closer
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/27/2013) The Indians are in need of a closer and there is currently no word on who that will be after the Tribe placed Chris Perez on the disabled list Monday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Cleveland called up Nick Hagadone from Triple-A Columbus, but he'll be middle relief help. The logical choices are Joe Smith and Cody Allen, and Brett Myers also has experience closing games. That said, Myers has been used as a starter for Cleveland and is also on the shelf.
Vinnie Pestano could be another option, but he just came off the DL and has shown lowered velocity to this point.
Vinne Pestano trying to shake off 'a little rust'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/26/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano has struggled since coming off the disabled list May 17. He took his second blown save in four appearances Saturday against the Red Sox after allowing four runs in one inning.
He's posted a 11.25 ERA in four appearances following a stint on the disabled list because of a sore right elbow.
"I told Vinnie when he came off the disabled list, 'There might be a little rust,'" manager Terry Francona, per The Plain Dealer. "But like a hitter with a track record, this is a pitcher with a pretty impressive track record with the way he competes, the way he cares. I wouldn't want to run away from him. I just want to help him."
Pestano's struggles could be related to a drop in velocity. He was throwing 92-93 mph before going on the disabled list. He was clocked throwing 88-89 mph Saturday.
"In spring training, when guys start throwing, they have to build arm speed," Francona said. "That's what he's doing now. ... There are no medical issues. We got him through that. Now we just have to get him back to being Vinnie."
Indians activate Vinnie Pestano
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/17/2013) The Indians have activated reliever Vinnie Pestano from the 15-day disabled list, the club announced Friday.
Pestano was effective in a rehab assignment and appears to have put his elbow injury behind him. Expect him to return to a setup role in front of closer Chris Perez.
Vinnie Pestano coming off DL Friday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano (elbow), who is on a rehab assignment with Class A Lake County, is expected to be activated off the 15-day disabled list Friday, according to The Plain Dealer. Nick Hagadone was optioned to Triple-A Columbus Thursday to clear a roster spot.
Vinnie Pestano throws scoreless rehab inning
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestanothrew a scoreless inning in his minor-league rehab game Wednesday, the club announced.
Pestano is on assignment at low Class A Lake County. He is expected to be ready to return from an elbow injury later this week.
Vinnie Pestano to rehab Wednesday
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/13/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Lake County on Wednesday, The Plain Dealer reports. The right-hander could be activated as early as Friday's series opener against the Mariners.
Pestano has been sidelined since April 28 due to right elbow tendinitis.
Vinnie Pestano set to throw Monday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Indians manager Terry Francona told MLB.com Sunday that injured setup man Vinnie Pestano (elbow) "came through fine" in his throwing session over the weekend. Pestano is expected to throw off the mound Monday and remains optimistic about a May 17 return.
Vinnie Pestano targeting May 17 return
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/9/2013) Indians setup man Vinnie Pestano (elbow) will not make the trip to Detroit this weekend, but he is scheduled to throw Sunday, according to MLB.com. Pestano is targeting a May 17 activation off the disabled list.
Vinnie Pestano taking next two days off
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) The Indians expect injured reliever Vinnie Pestano (right elbow) to take two more days off from throwing before resuming playing catch, MLB.com reports.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Pestano is about a week away from returning, according to manager Terry Francona.
Vinnie Pestano about a week away
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano is about a week away from being "good to go," according to manager Terry Francona.
Pestano was placed on the disabled list Monday with elbow soreness. He has not appeared in a game since April 28. He has a 2.25 ERA in eight innings this year.
Vinnie Pestano lands on disabled list
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) The Indians placed reliever Vinnie Pestano on the 15-day disabled list Monday with right elbow tendinitis, MLB.com reports. In the corresponding roster move, the team recalled reliever Nick Hagadone.
Pestano, 28, hasn't pitched since April 28. He has a 2.25 ERA over eight appearances with eight Ks in eight innings.
Vinnie Pestano expected to be available Monday
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano is expected to return from elbow soreness Monday, MLB.com reports.
Pestano has been dealing with right elbow soreness and hasn't pitched since April 28. He felt good throwing from 120 feet Sunday and likely swayed the Indians from placing him on the DL as a result.
Vinnie Pestano's elbow feeling 'better than expected'
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano's elbow felt 'better than expected' as he threw from 120 feet Sunday, MLB.com reports.
The club has yet to decide whether or not Pestano's sore elbow will land him on the disabled list. Pestano sounded optimistic but said "the decisions and everything else are out of my control."
Pestano has allowed two runs on five hits over eight innings.
Vinnie Pestano may need DL stint
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano told The Plain Dealer that he'll likely know Sunday whether or not his sore right elbow will require a trip to the disabled list.
The right-hander was unavailable for the second straight game Saturday against the Twins due to the issue but was able to do some work. He played long toss and threw 15 pitches off a mound.
"I'll see how my arm responds to that and go from there over the next couple of days," he said. "If the bullpen isn't handcuffed, and they can spot me another couple of days, and I respond well, I could go back to pitching."
Vinnie Pestano has sore elbow
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) The Indians listed reliever Vinnie Pestano as day to day with a sore right elbow, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Saturday.
Pestano, who was not available Friday, could be rested through the weekend. He threw a bullpen session Saturday and did not have any negative issues.
The 28-year-old has appeared in eight games this season with a 2.25 ERA and eight Ks over eight innings.
Vinnie Pestano already has two holds
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Indians setup man Vinnie Pestano has kicked off the season with three scoreless outings. Pestano, who also has two holds, has yielded one hit and two walks in three innings, while striking out three.
Pestano could spring forward
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/1/2013) With Indians closer Chris Perez possibly sidelined for opening day due to a strained shoulder, fellow reliever Vinnie Pestano could be thrust into an elevated role for the start of the regular season. Pestano, who has served as Cleveland's primary setup man the past two seasons, could take over in the ninth inning in place of Perez. However, the team is not ready to anoint Pestano into that role just yet. "We have a few weeks to work through it," general manager Chris Antonetti told MLB.com. "I'm still hopeful it'll be Chris."
