James Karinchak placed on 7-day injured list with strained hamstring

The heir apparent to the Indians’ bullpen throne will be taking a seat on the bench for a few days

Columbus Clippers reliever James Karinchak has been placed on the minor league seven-day injured list with a strained hamstring, per team sources.

Normally minor league trips to the injured list aren’t that noteworthy, but prior to today’s announcement, Karinchak seemed to be on the fast track to pitching for the Indians in the big leagues.

The 2017 ninth-round pick hasn’t allowed an earned run in the minors since last August, and he’s had a strikeout rate north of 32% in every season, at every level, of the minors. The Indians fast-tracked him through Single-A all the way to Triple-A in the span of two years, and despite some potential walk issues early on, he’s looked like the real deal all the way through.

Karinchak has pitched 3.0 innings for the Clippers this season. Of the 12 batters he’s faced, he struck out eight of them, walked one, and allowed just three hits.

The good news is it’s nothing arm related, but any Indians fan should know how much hamstring issues can linger. Hopefully that doesn’t end up being the case here. Get well — and get to the majors — soon, James.