Over the last two weeks, it has been reported that the Indians and Twins were both interested in free agent pitcher Justin Masterson. The White Sox and Tigers are also in the mix, writes Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer, and the Royals could be as well if they aren’t able to bring back James Shields. Call it a clean sweep for the AL Central.
Masterson missed 26 games between the end of June and early August with a right knee injury. It was revealed recently that he had also been pitching with ribcage and shoulder injuries in the latter half of the season.
The 29-year-old right-hander posted a miserable 5.88 ERA with a 116/69 K/BB ratio in 128 2/3 innings combined between the Indians and Cardinals. With his injury woes behind him, however, he makes for a good bounce-back candidate in the 2015 season.
