Spokane Indians Update: Hans Crouse scratched from start with cut finger

Even before the opening night game against the Boise Hawks began on Friday, Spokane Indians new manager Kenny Holmberg was forced into his first pitching change.

Hans Crouse, the Texas Rangers’ second-round draft pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, was scheduled to start and warmed up in the outfield during the pregame ceremonies but was scratched just before game time.

According to an Indians spokesman, Crouse “cut a finger” on a seam while long tossing and was bleeding, so out of abundance of caution the club decided to scratch the big righty.

The spokesman indicated that trainers didn’t think the injury was serious.

Holmberg called upon Gonzaga grad Royce Bolinger to make the opening night start.

Bolinger, 27, has been in the Rangers system as an outfielder since 2012 and reached Double-A, but is making the transition to pitcher this season.

Bolinger got into trouble right away, after receiving roughly 15 pitches to warm up and trailed 2-0 after the first half-inning.

Bolinger was done after two innings in the emergency start. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out two.