Just the sound of baseballs connecting with the leather of a glove is enough to make Cleveland Guardians fans start dreaming about the new season that's right around the corner.
While Opening Day is still a month and a half away, spring training has started and fans got their first look at the team's newest/oldest pitcher in action.
Carlos Carrasco was filmed taking one of his first bullpen sessions of the season and it sure does look good to see him back in the Cleveland navy and red. It didn't appear to be a super intense workout for Cookie, but pitchers have to start somewhere and it's nice to at least get some video of this early ramp-up.
The Guardians signed Carrasco to a minor league deal with an apparent path to the big league roster just a couple of weeks ago. No, he isn't the same pitcher he was when he was with Cleveland during the first 11 seasons of his career. However, there could still be a role for Carraso with the major league team.
Cleveland learned last season with the number of bullpen games they had that having a designated long reliever is an important piece for success. That role could easily be Cookie's depending on how spring training goes for him. Cleveland will also likely need someone to make a spot start here and there during the season. That's something else that could be a job for Carrasco.
If anything, seeing major league players back in action is exciting, and watching Carrasco once again pitch in a Cleveland uniform is a thrilling site!
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