Karinchak allowed an inherited runner to score and a hit over two-thirds of an inning to take a blown save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak allowed an RBI single to Royals shortstop Nicky Lopez. The run was charged to starter Shane Bieber, but Karinchak took a blown save officially. The 25-year-old Karinchak has yet to see a legitimate save chance this season -- he entered Wednesday's game with one out in the seventh inning. He's allowed a hit and a walk in two innings spanning three appearances. Emmanuel Clase earned the win Wednesday, while Nick Wittgren pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save.

Cleveland will use a committee of Karinchak, Emmanuel Clase and Nick Wittgren for save chances this season, manager Terry Francona told MLB.com. "The other thing we talked to them about is because there's so many days off early on, you want to keep workloads kind of even. So, there may be times they will pitch even when we're losing," he said.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak entered spring as the leading candidate for the closer role, but struggled with a 6.52 ERA and ten walks in 9.2 innings. He did have 19 strikeouts. It sounds like the closer situation could be in flux early in the season, so Karinchak could get a larger share of the save opportunities if he improves from his spring training performance.

Karinchak has made six appearances for Cleveland in Cactus League play, working 5.1 innings and giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits and five walks while striking out 11.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak's ability to rack up strikeouts at a prolific rate would likely make him a top-tier fantasy closer if manager Terry Francona hands him the job, but the skipper has yet to commit to any pitcher as the primary option for saves. While Karinchak still looks like the most appealing candidate, the walk issues he's experienced so far this spring could give Francona pause. Karinchak may need to show improved control in his final handful of Cactus League appearances to stave off the likes of Emmanuel Clase, Nick Wittgren and Blake Parker for closing duties.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona suggested Saturday that Karinchak will get the chance to vie for the team's closing job in spring training, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. "I know [Karinchak's] big goal this spring is to be pitching at the end of the game," Francona said. "We've got to see how our bullpen looks as it starts to come together and what makes our best bullpen."

EDGE Analysis

Francona said that he isn't ready to define roles for his relievers this early in the spring, but Karinchak would seemingly represent the top internal candidate to replace last year's closer, Brad Hand, who signed with Washington this offseason after being non-tendered. Though Karinchak occasionally struggled with walks (14.7 BB%) in 2020 and saw his velocity drop a couple ticks from the year before, he was otherwise excellent in a setup role during his rookie campaign, submitting a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings while striking out 48.6 percent of the batters he faced. At a minimum, Karinchak should be locked into a high-leverage role out of the Cleveland bullpen in 2021, though he would lose some value if Francona prefers to use one of the veterans on the roster with prior closing experience (Nick Wittgren, Blake Parker, Heath Hembree and Bryan Shaw) as the team's main option in save situations.

Karinchak (1-2) pitched a perfect seventh inning with three strikeouts to earn the win Sunday versus the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak whiffed Josh Bell, Bryan Reynolds and Erik Gonzalez in the top of the seventh, and Cleveland rallied for the lead in the bottom half of the frame. The right-handed Karinchak pitched to a 2.67 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 53:16 K:BB and eight holds in 27 appearances this year. He will likely continue as a setup man to closer Brad Hand in the playoffs.

Karinchak (0-2) allowed two runs on a hit and two walks while recording his only out via strikeout to take the loss Monday versus the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Karinchak entered Monday's contest with Cleveland ahead 1-0, but he walked the first two batters he faced. A Maikel Franco single spelled the end of Karinchak's outing, and reliever Adam Cimber allowed an inherited runner to score. Karinchak still has a solid 2.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB in 18 innings this year, but he's allowed three runs over his last two outings. The righty has five holds and a save in 17 appearances.

Karinchak struck out two as part of a perfect eighth inning Monday in the Indians' 3-2 loss to the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

After struggling in his initial appearances this season, Brad Hand has been sharp of late to solidify his hold on the Indians' closer job, but Karinchak has nonetheless made a compelling case to warrant a roster spot in deeper mixed leagues thanks to the sterling ratios he's provided in a setup role. Through 14 outings this season, Karinchak has posted a 0.57 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB to go with four holds and a save across 15.2 innings. His 53.6 percent strikeout rate is tops among all pitchers who have made more than one appearance this season.

Karinchak recorded the final out of the eighth inning Tuesday against the Reds via strikeout before giving way to Brad Hand for the save chance.

EDGE Analysis

After Karinchak earned his first career save last week, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com speculated that Karinchak was "not going to be giving up that spot anytime soon." It now appears that manager Terry Francona still has faith in Hand, at least more than some believed, but Hand was shaky early on and Karinchak has some of the nastiest stuff in baseball. It's clear that the lefty Hand is on notice in the closer role.

Karinchak recorded his first career save in Thursday's 2-0 win over the Twins, striking out one while allowing no hits in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday marked an impressive showing for the young right-hander, as he followed Shane Bieber's dazzling 13-strikeout performance with a clean, six-pitch ninth inning. Jeff Passan of ESPN.com has speculated that the 24-year old will dethrone Brad Hand as Cleveland's full-time closer, although many within the organization likely feel the veteran Hand deserves a longer leash after getting out of the gates slow to start 2020.

Karinchak will be a part of the Indians' 60-man player pool this season.

EDGE Analysis

He was optioned to Triple-A in late March in a procedural move, but Karinchak was always expected to play a key role in Cleveland's bullpen this season. The 24-year-old flamethrower had a 36.4 percent strikeout rate in the majors and a 53.8 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A last season.