Kluber’s rehab hits a snag; Sale to have sore elbow examined
Cleveland righthander Corey Kluber, who was on a rehab assignment with TripleA Columbus, was removed from his start after one inning Sunday afternoon because of abdominal tightness.
The team said Kluber, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since breaking his arm during a start May 1, was taken out of the game after 20 pitches for precautionary reasons.
Cleveland.com reported that the twotime Cy Young Award winner was expected to throw 7580 pitches in the game, his third start as he attempts to return from the injury.
Kluber walked two and didn’t allow a run Sunday. Multiple reports indicated that he did not top 90 mph with his pitches.
It’s not yet known if Kluber’s abdominal issue is a setback. The Indians have been hoping he might be able to pitch for them in September.
Sale update: Boston pitcher Chris Sale, placed on the 10day injured list Saturday after an MRI exam showed inflammation in his pitching elbow, will see Dr. James Andrews in Florida on Monday.
Manager Alex Cora said nothing should be read into the fact that Sale has not spoken to reporters since his MRI.
“He’ll be back Tuesday,” Cora told MLB.com. “I actually just talked to him. He just wants to make sure he has all the facts before he talks to” reporters. Doolittle sidelined: Washington closer Sean Doolittle was placed on the IL because of right knee tendinitis.
The move came a day after he gave up three home runs in the ninth inning against Milwaukee. Doolittle, who has 28 saves, has a careerworst 4.33 ERA and is 02 with a 7.36 ERA since the AllStar break.
“We want to get it right, so we put him on the IL,” manager Dave Martinez told MLB.com. “Hopefully, it won’t take as long, he’s back in 10 days and when he does come back, he’s our closer.
“And I reiterated that to him. He’s our closer, but we’ve got to get him right.”
Oberg idled: Colorado closer Scott Oberg was placed on the IL after being treated for a blood clot in his pitching arm for the second time in his career. He also had the procedure done in 2016.
Manager Bud Black said Oberg had a procedure to dissolve the clot at a hospital Saturday and remained there overnight.
“In simplest terms, blood clot in the arm, had it dissolved, and what happens today and moving forward, I’ll be kept abreast of that — that’s all I know,” Black told MLB.com.
With Oberg out, Wade Davis has regained the closer role, the Athletic reported.
Injury report: An MRI exam on Toronto third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s left knee showed no major damage, and he will not require a stint on the IL. Guerrero left Saturday’s game because of soreness in the knee . ... Among the players landing on the IL were Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto (lower back), Houston infielder Aledmys Diaz (dizziness) and Yankees infielder Thairo Estrada (hamstring) . ... Players activated from the IL included Cubs reliever Craig Kimbrel, Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, Astros reliever Brad Peacock and Dodgers infielder Jedd Gyorko . ... Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli said designated hitter Nelson Cruz (left wrist strain) is likely to be reinstated from the IL on Monday.
Briefly: Milwaukee sent former Giants reliever Ray Black to TripleA San Antonio . ... Arizona promoted pitcher Bo Takahashi from DoubleA Jackson, making him the sixth player born in Brazil to reach the majors.