Kluber exits start with abdominal tightness

Indians ace Corey Kluber was removed from a minorleague start after one inning with abdominal tightness.

The team said Kluber, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since breaking his arm during a start on May 1, was taken out of the Aug. 18 game for Triple-A Columbus in Charlotte, N.C., for precautionary reasons. The two-time Cy Young winner was making his third start as he attempts to return from the injury.

Kluber walked two and didn’t allow a run in his one inning. The 33-year-old was scheduled to spend Aug. 19 in Cleveland — an off day for the Indians — before re-joining the club in New York.

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 during the playoff push in September.

CLIPPERS (71-54) >> Charlotte beat Triple-A Columbus, 8-2. Center fielder Daniel Johnson had two hits, including a double, and an RBI.

RUBBERDUCKS (59-69) >> Host Erie’s Dylan Rosa hit a three-run home run off Double-A Akron starter Adam Scott, and the SeaWolves won, 3-2. Nellie Rodriguez walked twice and had a sacrifice fly for Akron, which struck out 12 times. HILLCATS (57-64) >> Visiting Carolina roughed up advanced Single-A Lynchburg starter Kirk McCarty for six runs in the fourth inning on the way to a 7-2 victory. CAPTAINS (68-56) >> Host West Michigan held SingleA Lake County to three hits in a 4-2 victory. Third baseman Daniel Schneemann accounted for Lake County’s scoring with a two-run single in the fourth inning. SCRAPPERS (31-31) >> Shortseason Single-A Mahoning Valley swept a doubleheader from visiting Batavia, 1-0 and 8-0. In the first game, Brian Eichorn went 5 1/3 innings to improve to 4-2. He fanned eight. Will Brennan singled in the Scrappers’ run. In the second game, Jose Oca and Serafino Brito combined on a one-hitter in a game shortened to six innings because of bad weather. Korey Holland and Brayan Rocchio each hit a home run.