CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco has been named the MLB American League Comeback Player of the Year, the team announced Wednesday.
Carrasco, 32, missed a portion of the 2019 season following a leukemia diagnosis. The team placed him on the Injured List with an undisclosed blood condition in June. A month later, Carrasco revealed his leukemia diagnosis to a Dominican Republic television network.
Carrasco's return was one of MLB's best storylines this season. He returned in September in a relief role, and received a standing ovation from fans during his first game back at Progressive Field. He made 11 relief appearances in September.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award winners are selected by 30 club beat reporters from MLB.com. Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson was named the National League winner.
In October, Carrasco received the 2019 Roberto Clemente Award during the World Series in Washington, D.C. He was the third player in Indians history to win the award, following in the footsteps of Hall of Fame slugger Jim Thome (2002) and Andre “Thunder” Thornton (1979).
