It has been a rocky spring training season so far for Cleveland Indians' pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, but Indians President Mark Shapiro said Jimenez's health is not the issue in an interview with ESPN 850 WKNR in Cleveland.
"I can tell you what's not wrong with him - he is healthy, he is strong," Shapiro said. "The velocity is there, all the medical and physical tests show that he's ready to go. He's not worried."
Jimenez has given up 10 earned runs in 9.2 innings this spring (with a 10:9 K:BB ratio). He was billed as a No. 1 starter after the Indians sent Drew Pomeranz and Alex White to Colorado in exchange for him. Shapiro stated that he's unsure of Jimenez's position at the very top of the rotation.
"I think we're impatient and want to see the Ubaldo who can dominate and has dominated in the big leagues," Shapiro said. "I told you when we traded for him, we feel confident that we got somewhere between a number one and number three starter. I can't promise you it's a number one."
Jimenez has a career record of 60-49 with an ERA of 3.76 and a WHIP of 1.30. He tossed the first no-hitter in Rockies club history on April 17, 2010.
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