If you’ve ever talked to Valley Central graduate James Karinchak on what it’s like pitching in the big leagues, you know that he’s adopted a very simple motto: “I have to go out and execute pitches, or else I don’t have a job.”

Karinchak is just one of many athletes being impacted by the suspension of sports due to the coronavirus outbreak, but before that decision was made, he was vying for a spot on the Cleveland Indians Opening Day roster.

“Spring training was going okay. I wouldn’t say it was good or great by any means, but I think I was improving with every outing,” he said.

In six games during the spring, Karinchak went 1-0, earning the victory in the Indians spring opener, with two holds, while allowing 2 earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched.

That accounts for a 3.18 ERA, although both runs came in one outing. On February 29, 2020 he allowed 2 hits, 2 walks and 2 runs in 0.2 innings against the Athletics.

In his other five outings, he had not allowed a hit, while striking out 9 and walking 3. Opponents were hitting .118 against him this spring.

“I thought I had a good chance of making the squad, but I can’t do anything about it now until Spring

Training comes back around and to show them what I can do,” Karinchak said.

This was Karinchak’s second year at camp with the big league club and his mindset has remained the same.

“I wouldn’t say it’s stressful, I would say that it’s the same, when I go out there I have to execute or else I don’t have a job,” he said.

Last week Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association agreed to the terms of a labor deal, accounting for various aspects of the CONVID-19 pandemic and how play would possibly resume. Part of the agreement places a hold on all transactions until baseball resumes play.

As a result of that rule, the Indians optioned four players to the Triple A Columbus Clippers, prior to the transaction deadline. Karinchak joined Zach Plesac, Bradley Zimmer and Aaron Chivale in getting that news, although none of them are actually going to Columbus at the moment.

“When Spring Training comes around again I should be up there and I’m gonna try to make the club again,” Karinchak said.

“Those are things I can’t control. I just have to try to be in the best position when I get my opportunities. Can’t control the business side.”

The reason those four players were optioned is because of service time rules. For every year a player is on the big league roster, they gain a year of service time.

“Every team has control of you for three years before salary arbitration. Then you get another two or three years of that before you get to be a free agent. It plays a big part in how guys are optioned,” Karinchak explained.

Since Spring Training games were canceled and the start of the regular season postponed, the power right-hander returned home.

“Nobody really knew how to react,” he said. “I don’t think this has ever happened before in our lifetime. I got home around mid-March. It’s just been like the off-season. Trying to stay prepared and keep my arm in shape. Hopefully we have a season coming up soon and I’m just trying to be in the best shape I can be.”

Whenever baseball games are able to resume, the only thing on Karinchak’s mind is going to be his next pitch.

“What you did last time, even the last pitch, it doesn’t mean anything. You just have to get out every time trying to execute. The past is the past, gotta worry about the future.”