Carlos Carrasco is gutted he can't help the Cleveland Indians make history.
The starter had his season cut short on Sept. 17 when a line drive off the bat of Detroit Tigers infielder Ian Kinsler broke the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand. But with his team now one win away from clinching the World Series, the 29-year-old can't help but feel distraught he hasn't been a part of their run.
"Inside of me, I feel destroyed," Carrasco told MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. "But outside, I need to continue to be the same guy I was in Spring Training and during the season, before my injury."
Outfielder Michael Brantley, who's also missed the postseason and much of the regular season due to a nagging shoulder injury that has required two surgeries to repair, isn't content with missing out on history with his club either.
"I just embrace what I can right now," Brantley said. "I've dealt with (the setbacks), and it's in the past."
Manager Terry Francona, though, who's held the club together all season through a myriad of injuries, maintains the pair are still fundamental pieces of the Indians, even if they can't contribute on the field.
"They're a big part of our team," Francona said, according to Castrovince. "And we made sure that they know that, because it's hard. I bet you Brantley would cut off his shoulder if he thought he could play. But that doesn't lessen how we feel about them or their importance. It's just sometimes, guys get hurt. It's just the way the game is."