Cleveland Indians: Corey Kluber Scratched From Tonight’s Start

Corey Kluber Scratched From Tonight’s Start

The Cleveland Indians have scratched Corey Kluber from his start tonight against the Detroit Tigers.  Josh Tomlin will make the start instead.

The team has said that Kluber will still pitch again this season as he’s only likely to miss “1-2 starts” with the right hamstring injury.  There’s a good chance he’ll be back for the upcoming ten-game homestand against the Tigers, Royals, and White Sox.  Kluber currently leads all of baseball in innings pitched at 200.1 (only the Astros’ Dallas Keuchel and the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw are even over 190).  He also ranks top five in the American League in FIP, xFIP, cFIP, BB/9, K/9, and fWAR.   Needless to say, if the Indians want to have any chance of making the playoffs they’ll need their Ace to make a speedy recovery and get back out on the mound.

Tomlin will be making this start on normal rest thanks to the off day yesterday so bumping him up a day is no issue.  Tomlin has looked very good since returning from shoulder surgery and getting recalled last month by the Indians.  The long-ball has been his one Achilles heel but in spacious Comerica Park he could be very effective.  The Indians have also announced that Danny Salazar will start tomorrow in Detroit (also on normal rest); however, Sunday’s starter is still up in the air.         

Sunday is the first day that Carlos Carrasco is eligible to come off the disabled list so there’s a chance we see him then.  Cody Anderson could also start as he, like Tomlin and Salazar, would be on normal rest thanks to the off day.  A another (not too likely) option could be Trevor Bauer who only threw 44 pitches Wednesday when he was roughed up versus the Blue Jays.  Given his recent struggles though may be wise to hold off on pitching him until you have to.

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