Kluber likely out until postseason with quad strain
The injury-ravaged Cleveland Indians will likely be without Corey Kluber for the remainder of the regular season, as the American League Cy Young candidate is expected to be sidelined for 7-to-10 days after being diagnosed Tuesday with a mild right quadriceps strain, according to multiple reports.
Kluber - who owns a 3.14 ERA through 215 innings in 2016 - was initially thought to have suffered a groin injury when he left Monday's start against the Detroit Tigers after just four innings, but an MRI on Tuesday revealed a quad issue.
"You don't like to see that," Indians reliever Andrew Miller told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian of Kluber's injury. "He's as good of a pitcher as there is in baseball. The assumption is that they're being extra careful. We need him.
"There's no doubt about it. We've lost some guys. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what you had or what the situation is. You figure it out with what you have. These guys know how to win. I'm just happy to be here and be a part of it."
If Kluber needs only 10 days to recuperate, though, the 30-year-old right-hander will be able to pitch in the best-of-five AL Division Series that begins next Thursday.
"He was a little stiff, but not overly tender, so I think that gives you some reason to be optimistic," Indians manager Terry Francona said Monday.