"Carlos Carrasco, the hot and cold right-hander who won a spot in the Indians' rotation out of spring training but had a hard time keeping it because of two trips to the disabled list with a sore right elbow, could be headed for Tommy John surgery on the same elbow.

If he doesn't have the operation, he is almost certainly done for the season.

A report in a Venezuelan newspaper, Linder Deportes, quoted Indians prospect Hector Rondon as saying, "Carlos called me yesterday and told me that it seems they are going to perform Tommy John surgery on him."

Rondon, by the way, missed all this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. He just started a rehab assignment at Class A Mahoning Valley.

Manager Manny Acta said Carrasco has been visiting different doctors to get opinions on how to proceed with the elbow. He just returned from New York where he was examined by Dr. David Alcheck.

"As far as I know, we're still gathering information and different opinions on Carrasco," Acta said. "A few days ago, he went to see Dr. Alcheck in New York. We haven't made a decision just yet.

"Surgery would be the last resort. He's had a few opinions already." "