Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said Friday that the easiest way to handle Carlos Carrasco's suspension is to promote him when rosters expand in September. Carrasco was suspended eight games (pending an appeal) for throwing at Kevin Youkilis on Tuesday night. The Indians would have to go with a 24-man roster for a stretch if they bring Carrasco back to the majors before August, so waiting until rosters expand would be the most convenient solution. However, Antonetti hasn't ruled out promoting him earlier if his performance warrants.

Major League Baseball has suspended Carlos Carrasco eight games for intentionally throwing at Kevin Youkilis during Tuesday's game. He will appeal the suspension. Carrasco has denied that the plunking was intentional, but it's hard to believe him given that it was his first start since returning from a suspension for the same thing. The righty was optioned to Triple-A earlier this week, so he'll have to serve the suspension once he's back on the big league roster.

Indians optioned RHP Carlos Carrasco to Triple-A Columbus. Carrasco gets the boot after he gave up seven runs over 3 2/3 innings Tuesday and was ejected for throwing at Kevin Youkilis. The young right-hander just finished a six-game suspension for a similar incident back in 2011. While Carrasco has talent, he clearly hasn't learned his lesson yet.

Carlos Carrasco was ejected from Tuesday's game after hitting Kevin Youkilis with a pitch following a Robinson Cano home run. Unbelievable. Carrasco just finished serving a suspension for doing the same thing back in 2011. It seems likely that another suspension could be coming his way. The righty was sitting in the 94-97 mph range Tuesday, but he gave up seven runs over 3 2/3 innings. Brett Myers, Wednesday's scheduled starter, relieved him, so the Indians will have to find another starter for the third game of the series.

Carlos Carrasco will open the season on the Indians' roster so that he can serve a six-game suspension. Carrasco was suspended six games in August of 2011 for throwing at Royals' designated hitter Billy Butler, but an elbow injury and Tommy John surgery prevented him from serving it. Scott Kazmir won the fifth spot in the Indians' rotation, so he'll presumably head down to Triple-A Columbus once the six games are up. The Indians are set to open the season with 24 players on their active roster.

Carlos Carrasco didn't pitch well Thursday in his latest audition for the fifth spot in the Indians' rotation, allowing four runs on eight hits over five frames. Carrasco did strike out three and didn't walk anyone, but it wasn't an ideal performance as he battles Scott Kazmir for a rotation spot. The right-hander now has a 6.00 ERA this spring and is, by all accounts, trailing in the competition.

Carlos Carrasco yielded two runs over three innings Monday against the Cubs. Carrasco allowed four hits -- including a solo home run by Alfonso Soriano -- and walked one while striking out two. His outing included a scary moment when he was hit in the head by a comebacker, but team trainers concluded that it was safe for him to continue. He was smoked for three runs over one inning in his spring debut last week, so he's not off the best start to emerge from a crowded field for a rotation spot. Zach McAllister, who entered spring training with a rotation spot to lose, hurled three shutout innings of relief Monday.

Carlos Carrasco still has to serve a six-game suspension for throwing at Kansas City's Billy Butler on July 29, 2011. Carrasco appealed the suspension and made one more start, and it was in that outing where he blew out his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. Since the Indians open the season with 13 straight games before their first off day, Carrasco's looming suspension lessens the chances of him cracking the Opening Day rotation. He has an option left and will likely begin the year at Triple-A Columbus.

Indians manager Terry Francona has been impressed with what he's seen from Carlos Carrasco thus far in spring training. The 25-year-old missed the entire 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but has looked strong early in camp and is a legitimate candidate to win the final spot in the Tribe's rotation. He'll likely have to beat out Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Huff and Trevor Bauer to secure his spot.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said Carlos Carrasco (elbow) will be on an innings limit this season. "In Carlos' case," Antonetti said, "we do have to be cognizant of him completing his rehab process and his innings restrictions this year." Though Antonetti didn't specify what the number would be, the club obviously doesn't want to overwork the 25-year-old in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. Carrasco has been given a clean bill of health heading into spring training, though, and will compete for one of the final two spots in the rotation. He holds some intrigue in deeper formats.