Indians' Bauer hopes to be back by postseason after successful sim game

Trevor Bauer took a significant step in his rehab from a fractured right leg he suffered in early August.

The 27-year-old right-hander tossed a three-inning simulated game against live hitters, throwing roughly 18 pitches per inning, according to The Associated Press. Afterward, he said he was hopeful he would return to the mound in time for the postseason.

"The biggest takeaway is that I was able to completely focus on competing instead of being worried about or noticing if there's any discomfort," Bauer said. "I didn't really think about it at all, and that's the most important thing."

Bauer was apparently feeling so good after the session that he joked with Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona that he was available to start Tuesday night's game against the Chicago White Sox.

"I'm glad he feels that way," Francona said. "I don't think that's going to happen, but it's nice to hear him say that."

Cleveland became the first team in Major League Baseball to clinch its division with a 15-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

Bauer was enjoying a Cy Young-caliber season prior to the injury, authoring a 2.22 ERA and 2.37 FIP over 166 innings. Despite missing time, Bauer ranks third among AL starters in FanGraphs WAR while throwing fewer innings than 14 other pitchers, including Cy Young favorites Chris Sale and Justin Verlander.