Pomeranz passes side session test, expects to start Wednesday

CLEVELAND — After a scare last Friday night, it appears Drew Pomeranz will not miss a start and will make his scheduled outing here Wednesday against the Indians.

Pomeranz left Friday’s game in the fourth inning with back spasms. But after a somewhat abbreviated side session Monday at Progressive Field, Pomeranz determined that he was sufficiently healthy to start the third game of the series.

“(It felt) pretty good,’’ said Pomeranz. “As of now, I’m still planning on pitching Wednesday, barring any changes. I’m fine. It’s been a good progression every day since it happened initially.’’

Pomeranz scaled back some on the number of pitches he threw, but was able to throw his entire repertoire with some intensity.

“I tested it pretty good,’’ said Pomeranz. “I was getting after it. I wasn’t just throwing. It was coming out really good.’’

The lefty said he still felt some “muscle tightness, but it’s normal. As I said, it’s been getting better and better and better every day, which is what I’m hoping for.’’

The shortened start was frustrating for Pomeranz, since he’s in the middle of one of the best stretches of his career. He’s made 24 starts and tossed 130.2 innings – both ranking third on the staff – and has won a career-high 12 games with a 3.31 ERA.

“I don’t want to miss time,’’ he said, “but you also don’t want to be in a situation where you come out of a game and crush the bullpen (with having to make up the innings). I wouldn’t go out there unless I feel like I can stay out there the whole time. That’s the goal for me – to be out there every time.

’’I know I’ve come out of a few games (with minor ailments) and it’s frustrating because you don’t like to do that to the bullpen or anyone, or even to myself.  Last year, I made every start and was out there the whole time until the last one. My goal is to be out there and in the game longer for 30-plus starts…What I want to be is a guy out there throwing 170-200 innings every year.’’

Back spasms aside, Pomeranz believes he’s held up well to the workload this year, just his second as a full-time starter. Now that August is here, when some pitchers tire, he feels good.

“I feel like I probably (hit my) wall at the beginning of the year, those first few starts,’’ he said. “I’ve been feeling great. That’s the frustrating part – you have some little thing like (the back spasms) and have to come out of a game early when I’m throwing well. But everything else feels good.’’

Pomeranz has added a cutter to his fastball and is throwing his curveball more, giving him a more varied -- and less predictable -- pitch mix.