Clevelinks: Floyd Injured; Cleveland Indians Tie Dodgers

New addition Gavin Floyd injured; the Cleveland Indians need Corey Kluber to continue success; and the Tribe ties the Dodgers

The injury bug has returned to the Cleveland Indians, and this time it has claimed starting pitcher Gavin Floyd. The Tribe signed Floyd to a contract worth $4 million this offseason, and he was designated as one of the few locks in the starting rotation. Floyd has struggled with injuries but, when healthy, he can be an average major league pitcher. Before breaking his right elbow last season, Floyd racked up a 2.65 ERA – although his 3.47 xFIP is less optimistic – and a healthy 14% strikeout differential. While these are all above his career norms, they reveal the upside in the 32-year-old.

Should the injury prove to be a simple setback, the Indians shouldn’t have to worry about a long-term hole in the starting rotation. As our Nicholas D. Blazek points out, the Indians have plenty of depth when it comes to starting pitching. Offseason addition Bruce Chen could combine with Shaun Marcum to be inning eaters, or Danny Salazar and T.J. House could get a longer look in the rotation, as the two of them duke it out with Josh Tomlin for the fifth spot.

Corey Kluber made his 2015 Spring Training debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday. He pitched three innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out one batter. As Katrina Putnam writes, the Indians will need Corey Kluber to repeat his 2015 showing. Even if he regresses slightly, having a five-win pitcher at the front of the rotation will be huge. On the offensive side of the game, Brett Hayes and Ryan Rohlinger both went deep in the ninth inning to tie the ballgame. The Indians and Dodgers tied. For more analysis on yesterday’s game, click here for our Wahoo’s on First game recap.

More From Around the AL Central:

Could Gavin Floyd’s Setback Open a Door for Someone Else? – Wahoo’s on First

Indians Counting on Corey Kluber to Repeat His 2014 – Wahoo’s on First

Royals Sign Chris Young to One-Year Deal – Kings of Kauffman

How Should Carlos Rodon Be Used in ’15? – Southside Showdown

Brian Dozier Amongst Best in MLB the Show 15 – Puckett’s Pond