The Cleveland Indians want Jack Morris to prove soon that he can still be an effective major league starting pitcher.
"If you look at Jack's record, he's never been a very good pitcher in April or May," manager Mike Hargrove said. "But Jack needs to be a good April-May pitcher for us."Morris had a career mark of 71-64 in April and May before this season.
If the Indians release Morris, it will probably happen before he pitches 90 innings. His contract would pay him a $500,000 bonus if he pitches that much.
The Chicago White Sox feasted on Morris in their 12-1 win Tuesday night. Morris gave up seven runs and seven hits in 41/3 innings. His record slipped to 1-3, and his earned run average jumped to 7.39.
With some young pitchers in the Cleveland farm system waiting for a chance to pitch in the majors, Hargrove has to decide how long he will stay with the 39-year-old winner of 245 big league games.
"My concern isn't about the strength of his arm," Hargrove said. "I think that's as good as it's going to be. What concerns me is Jack's lack of consistency with his pitches and location."
The problem was illustrated against the White Sox when Morris threw a fastball to Chicago power hitter Frank Thomas, who turned the pitch into a three-run homer.
In 351/3 innings, Morris has allowed 44 hits, walked 17 and struck out 17. He is trying to get over a strained ligament in the elbow of his pitching arm.