Indians’ Clevinger has surgery to repair torn meniscus in left knee

The Indians are already dealing with adversity before taking the field for their first full-squad workout.

Starter Mike Clevinger was undergoing surgery Friday to repair torn meniscus in his left knee after the right-hander hurt it while working out at the team’s training complex in Goodyear, Arizona.

The Indians won’t have a timetable for Clevinger’s return until after the operation, but it’s safe to assume he will miss at least several weeks.

If there’s a bright spot, it’s that the injury happened early in camp and not closer to the season’s start.

“It’s not doomsday,” Francona said. “One, we know he’s a quick healer. And two, he will be able to keep his arm in condition the entire time. I’d prefer it didn’t happen, but he’s going to be OK.”

MLB RAISES SALARIES FOR

MINOR LEAGUERS IN 2021 >> Major League Baseball is raising the minimum salary for minor league players in 2021, according to a memo sent Friday from the commissioner’s office to all 30 teams and obtained by The Associated Press.

Two years after successfully lobbying Congress to exempt minor leaguers from federal minimum wage laws, MLB opted to give those players a wage increase between 38% and 72%.

Players at rookie and short-season levels will see their minimum weekly pay raised from $290 to $400, and players at Class A will go from $290 to $500. Double-A will jump from $350 to $600, and Triple-A from $502 to $700.

Minor leaguers are paid only during the five-month season and don’t receive wages during the offseason or spring training. FULMER MAKING PROGRESS

IN RETURN FROM TOMMY JOHN SURGERY >> At this time last year, Michael Fulmer was hoping for a healthier 2019. Instead, his injury woes went from bad to worse.

Fulmer needed Tommy John surgery and did not pitch at all last season, another setback for the righthander who won AL Rookie of the Year honors for Detroit in 2016 but now faces an uncertain future for the Tigers. Still just 26 years old, Fulmer can give the team a lift if he comes back healthy, but that’s still a work in progress.

Fulmer said he was hopeful he could throw on the mound around the end of March.