Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber exited Monday night’s start against the Detroit Tigers after just 60 pitches. Following some confusion as to why the Indians’ ace was taken out so quickly in a game that could clinch the American League Central, the club confirmed that Kluber left due to “right groin tightness.”
Corey Kluber left tonight's game with right groin tightness.
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) September 27, 2016
The Indians’ pitching staff is already razor thin with Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar injured. The latter has the potential to pitch in a playoff game at some point, but the former is out for the duration of the playoffs with a broken pitching hand. If Kluber’s injury turns out to be more than just a precaution, the Indians are in seriously trouble.
Before we start penning articles about how the Tribe’s playoff hopes are official dashed, however, there are reasons to be optimistic. Brandon Bowers, a Columbus-based Doctor of Physical Therapy who joined us on this week’s podcast, suggests it might be just a precaution:
Muscle between thigh and abdomen. Don't think it's too alarming, most likely precautionary at this point. Don't believe it would keep him out for an extended period of time if it truly is only "tightness”. We'll have to see if the team gives further info.
And one scout who spoke to beat writer Jordan Bastian said nothing looked too off with Kluber tonight, noting only that his curveball was dropping a bit, but nothing out of the ordinary.
An AL scout on hand at Comerica Park said Kluber looked fine from his perspective. Said curveball velo dropped some, but nothing alarming.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 27, 2016
Now with that out of the way, excuse me while I go cry just in case.