Indians SP Corey Kluber Has Up-and-Down Outing in Rehab Debut
By Parker White
If you are the Cleveland Indians, you didn't trade right-handed starter Trevor Bauer at the trade deadline if you don't thought former Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber would be able to make a comeback this season.
Kluber, who has been out with a fractured forearm, began his rehab assignment for Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, and he had mixed results during his three innings of work.
Kluber pitches three innings in rehab debut https://t.co/P2LXsl6dKg
— Rotoworld Baseball (@Rotoworld_BB) August 8, 2019
Kluber allowed two runs, both of which were solo home runs, with one walk and two strikeouts over his three innings. Kluber tossed 41 pitches, 24 of which went for strikes, and then he went to the bullpen to get his pitch count to 50.
The veteran starter is expected to throw 60-70 pitches his next time out, and then his third rehab start toss more than 80 pitches.
Corey Kluber Game Line:
— Michael Cuva (@JTSScout) August 8, 2019
3IP | 2H | 2ER | 2K | 1BB | 2HR
24/41 Ks = 58.5% | 6/12 1st Pitch Ks = 50%
Sinker: 34.1% | S&M = 0
Cutter: 31.7% | S&M = 3
Four-Seam: 19.5% | S&M = 1
Curveball: 7.3% | S&M = 1
Changeup: 7.3% | S&M = 0
Hard Contact: (1) Four-Seam, (1) Cutter, (1) Sinker
Giving up the two home runs isn't great, but he retired the final five batters he faced, which is encouraging. Cleveland expects Kluber to be back with the big league club in late August barring any setbacks.