Indians’ Carlos Carrasco talks cancer diagnosis for first time: ‘Everything is good’

Chelsea Howard

Indians’ Carlos Carrasco talks cancer diagnosis for first time: ‘Everything is good’ image

Carlos Carrasco remains positive and determined amid his cancer diagnosis. 

Despite landing on the injured list in June after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, the Indians right-hander is still preparing for the second half of the season. He threw a bullpen session Thursday, and said he doesn't feel any difference in his velocity and strength. 

But will he be able to pitch again this season? “Man, I don’t know," Carrasco said while speaking about his diagnosis publicly for the first time.

"I’m just going to take it day by day," he added. "I don’t have the answer. But I’m glad to be here around my teammates and just come here and practice.”

Carrasco is determined not to let his diagnosis change his approach to the game. 

"I never put anything bad on my mind," Carrasco said (per cleveland.com). "Everything's good. So I don't feel different. I just push myself to work more and get stronger."

Carrasco, 32, explained that he first realized something was wrong when he took his annual physical at the start of spring training in Arizona. The only difference he's noticed is in his blood work, not how he physically feels. Doctors told him that he could continue to pitch when he felt up to it. 

"There isn’t a plan — and I don’t mean that like we don’t care," manager Terry Francona said of Carrasco's timeline to return. "The idea is for him to do as much as he can tolerate because it will be good for him. Other than that we’re not pushing. We’re just trying to be supportive.”

Chelsea Howard