Kluber rehab sidelined with oblique strain

Corey Kluber has hit another roadblock in his attempt to return to the Indians’ starting rotation.

The Tribe right-hander suffered an internal oblique strain Aug. 18 making a rehab start for Triple-A Columbus, the Indians announced Aug. 20. Kluber was removed after throwing 20 pitches in one inning in the game in Charlotte, N.C.

Kluber, 33, will be evaluated in two weeks, at which time doctors will determine when he can resume throwing, the Indians announced.

The injury occurred in Kluber’s third rehab start since suffering a broken right forearm when he was hit by a line drive in a game with the Marlins on May 1.

Kluber was encouraged after throwing 60 pitches Aug. 13 during a rehab start in Akron pitching for the Double-A RubberDucks.

He was perfect through three innings but gave up a home run, a walk and a single in the fourth inning.

“I felt like that was a positive,” Kluber said after the game.

“I was just trying to get ready. I’m just taking it start to start. I don’t have a way of grading where we are.”

Kluber threw one pitch 93 mph in the first inning in Akron and matched that velocity on one pitch in the second, but did not touch 93 again in that game.

He did not break 90 in his short outing in Charlotte.

Being evaluated in two weeks means doctors won’t make a determination on when Kluber can resume throwing until Sept. 3. The regular season ends Sept. 29 in a road game with Washington.

Kluber had been making steady progress, but now the Indians cannot count on him being available if they qualify for the playoffs. The Indians trail the first-place Twins by two games in the A.L. Central heading into games Aug. 20. They own the first wildcard spot by 1 1/2 games over Tampa Bay and 2 1/2 games over Oakland. Boston is six games behind Tampa for the second wild-card spot.

Kluber was 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA before suffering the broken arm.

Meanwhile, Carlos Carrasco on Aug. 22 in Akron will make his second rehab start since being diagnosed with leukemia in June.

TIM PHILLIS — FOR THE NEWS-HERALD Indians starter Corey Kluber delivers a pitch against the Braves in Game 1 of a doubleheader April 20 at Progressive Field.