Kluber starts return from broken arm
The Indians say pitcher Corey Kluber will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, his first since breaking his right arm May 1.
The twotime Cy Young Award winner is on the 60day injured list. He is set to throw 20 fastballs at Progressive Field before Cleveland’s game against the Tigers.
Cleveland manager Terry Francona called the session “a big step, a good step,” but cautioned that Kluber is weeks from potentially beginning a minorleague rehabilitation assignment.
Kluber was struck on the forearm by a line drive off the bat of Miami’s Brian Anderson at Marlins Park, breaking his right ulna. The 33yearold spent several weeks in a hard cast.
In seven starts this season, Kluber has a 23 record with a 5.80 ERA. Pence returns: Texas activated Hunter Pence from the injured list after he missed 23 games and the AllStar Game.
Pence, out since June 17 with a right groin strain, was activated before Tuesday night’s game against Arizona. He batted third as the designated hitter and went 0for4.
Outfielder Willie Calhoun was optioned to TripleA Nashville.
Pence hit .294 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs in his 55 games before getting hurt. He was voted the American League’s starting designated hitter but couldn’t play while still recovering from his injury.
Calhoun, who started 17 games while Pence was out, has hit .277 with five homers and 13 RBIs in 26 games this season. Williamson cut: Outfielder Mac Williamson was designated for assignment by the Mariners, who picked him up after the Giants let him go last month. With Seattle, the 29yearold hit .182 with three home runs in 25 games. Briefly: The Twins placed center fielder Byron Buxton on the sevenday injured list for players with concussionlike symptoms and designated righthanded reliever Mike Morin for release or assignment as first baseman C.J. Cron and left fielder Eddie Rosario returned . ... The Cardinals placed infielder Matt Carpenter on the 10day IL with a right foot contusion and recalled infielder Edmundo Sosa from TripleA Memphis. ... Righthander Edwin Jackson was designated for assignment by Toronto. He was 15 with an 11.12 ERA in eight games, including five starts.