Guardians notes: Enyel De Los Santos working his way into a late-inning relief role

CLEVELAND — Enyel De Los Santos has proven he can handle the pressure-packed situations that come as a late-inning relief pitcher. As a result, the right-hander is expected to see more opportunities in the role. "That's the best way for me to put guys in that situation is when they've earned it and he certainly has," manager Terry Francona said of De Los Santos, who entered Saturday night with a 2-0 record and 2.00 ERA (four earned runs) over 19 appearances, with 17 strikeouts in 18 innings. De Los Santos' late-game work was on display Friday night when he entered in the eighth inning with two on, one out and Cleveland clinging to a 4-2 lead. De Los Santos got the first batter he faced to bounce into an inning-ending double play to preserve a win for ace Shane Bieber. Bieber appreciates the way De Los Santos attacks hitters. "He's not going to beat himself," Bieber said of the 27-year-old Dominican. "And in a game that can be this difficult against guys that don't challenge offensive hitters and lineups, it's great to have him in any situation, either early in the game or late in the game." Whatever inning he's called on, De Los Santos sticks to a simple approach. "It feels good to have that confidence (from the manager), but it's not only me, it's everybody in the bullpen," De Los Santos said through an interpreter. "I think the focus is mainly to just get outs. To be able in whatever situation it is, to make sure I execute the pitches and get outs. "In reality, I just enjoy being in the game whatever the situation is and thankful to God that I'm able to pitch, because it is a joy to pitch and help the team." De Los Santos, who spent four seasons with the Phillies from 2018-21 had allowed just one of his 11 inherited runners to score through Friday, limiting the opposition to a .167 (5-for-30) batting average. Doctor's office Aaron Civale (oblique strain) and Triston McKenzie (shoulder strain) are scheduled to make their third rehab starts for Triple-A Columbus over the next few three days. Civale will pitch Sunday at home against Indianapolis, while McKenzie is slated to start for the Clippers at Iowa on Tuesday. Both are tabbed to throw around 85 pitches, according to Francona. "When they get to that point, I think you can start to talk about them contributing to a Major League team without putting people in jeopardy," he said. Francona said the team would have a decision on the next step after each outing. "I think we'd like to see how they get through their starts. I think we want to have as much information as we can and we won't have that until they pitch," he said. No problem The Guardians' offense has been one of the majors' worst for the majority of the season, but shortstop Amed Rosario isn't worried. "I'm not concerned at all, because I know there are going to be hard times in this game," Rosario said through an interpreter. "And I have full confidence in my teammates that we're going to be able to put it together and keep producing runs like we're capable of doing." Rosario has been a tad better at the plate as of late, raising his batting average from .222 to .239 over his last 16 games through Friday. He entered Saturday with five extra-base hits over his last 14 games. Roundin' third Closer Emmanuel Clase entered Saturday leading the majors with 17 saves but was also tops in the big leagues with five blown saves after failing to convert only four in 46 opportunities last year. After allowing only 11 earned runs over 72 2/3 innings of an All-Star season in 2022, he allowed 10 over his first 25 innings this year. Clase had limited right-handed hitters to a .188 batting average through Friday, but left-handed hitters were at .353. Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. threw out a ceremonial first pitch, followed by Indians alums Cory Snyder and Pat Tabler. Sunday, 1:40, Bally Sports Great Lakes; WEOL 930-AM and 100.3-FM, WTAM 1100-AM, WMMS 100.7-FM. Gaddis (1-1, 5.26) vs. Montgomery (2-6, 4.55). Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @CAwesomeheimer.