Rangers’ Kluber may be done for ’20
Two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber could be done for the season after only one inning for the Rangers.
He has a tear in a small muscle in his right shoulder that won’t require surgery, but even in the best-case scenario in this shortened season he won’t throw again for at least four weeks, which is when he will be evaluated again.
“It’s a blow, there’s no getting around it,” team president and general manager Jon Daniels said.
Daniels said Monday an MRI revealed a grade 2 tear. The 34-year-old right-hander will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection this week.
“Given the time frame here and the nature of a 60-game schedule and everything that goes with it, the timeline is not on our side,” Daniels said.
“We will give him his period to rest, and then if it’s recovered, or the injury is healed to the point where he can begin throwing, he’ll do so with the potential to possibly be ready for the end of the season. If that is the case, it’d probably be more likely as a reliever.”
Daniels said left-hander Kolby Allard, who is already on the 30-man roster after nine starts as a rookie last season, will fill Kluber’s spot in the rotation.
Kluber exited Sunday’s home game against the Rockies after one scoreless inning with tightness behind his shoulder. It was his first start in the majors since May 1, 2019, when he broke his right forearm on a liner to the mound. He injured his side during rehab last summer.
The Rangers acquired Kluber in a trade from the Indians in December.
White Sox skipper undergoes tests: White Sox manager Rick Renteria woke up Monday with “a slight cough and nasal congestion” and will be kept away from the team pending the results of medical tests.
Bench coach Joe McEwing will manage the White Sox until the team learns more about Renteria’s condition. Monday’s opener of a three-game set at Cleveland was postponed because of rain and will be made up Tuesday as part of a traditional doubleheader.
General manager Rick Hahn released a statement, saying the 58-year-old Renteria was taken to a Cleveland hospital for evaluation and tests.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Ricky will remain at the team hotel and not manage until we receive confirmation of today’s test result,” Hahn said.
Before Monday’s postponement, McEwing said on a Zoom conference call that he spoke to Renteria several times and that “he feels great, feels fine. Just being very cautious.”
Also: Utility player Josh Harrison signed a one-year contract with the Nationals and was added to their 30-man active roster, less than a week after he was released by the Phillies. The 33-year-old Harrison is a two-time All-Star and a right-handed hitter who has started games at second base, third base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots during his nine years in the majors . ... The Rockies say left-handed pitcher Tim Collins has opted out of the 2020 season. He’s the second player within the organization who has withdrawn. In late June, Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond announced he wouldn’t play.