Injury forces Texas Rangers’ All-Star starter to leave early
The Texas Rangers’ prized offseason acquisition did not make it into the second inning of his debut with the team.
Starting pitcher Corey Kluber, who was obtained in a trade with the Cleveland Indians in the offseason, left after the first inning of the Rangers’ 5-2 loss against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon.
The team announced Kluber felt “tightness behind his right shoulder.” He was examined by team doctor Dr. Keith Meister. Kluber is scheduled for further examination on Monday.
Kluber threw 18 pitches in the first inning against Colorado, with one walk and one strikeout. He caught leadoff batter David Dahl looking for a called third strike, walked Trevor Story, who was thrown out on a stolen base attempt.
The third batter of the inning, Charlie Blackmon, popped out to second base.
Kluber was replaced by left handed prospect Joe Palumbo. Palumbo pitched two innings and allowed three hits, including a home run, three runs, with one walk and four strikeouts.
Kluber was acquired by the Texas Rangers in December of 2019 in a trade with Cleveland; the Rangers sent outfielder Delino DeShields and rookie reliever Emmanuel Chase to Cleveland to acquire the two-time Cy Young award winner.
Kluber is 34, and he missed most of the 2019 season after he suffered a fractured right arm when he took a line drive off his elbow in a start on May 1.
He was limited to seven games last season, and posted a 5.80 ERA.
He tried to return in August, but was forced out of a minor league start on Aug. 18 with an oblique strain.
Before last season, Kluber had been one of the game’s most consistent starting pitchers. He won the Cy Young award in 2014 and 2016.
At the time the Rangers acquired Kluber, he had two years remaining on his contract; he was scheduled to make $17.5 million in 2020, and $18 million next season.
With Kluber, Mike Minor and Lance Lynn, the Rangers had one of the strongest rotations in the American League.
Palumbo is the top candidate to remain in the rotation should Kluber miss any starts. Rangers manager Chris Woodward said after Sunday’s game that Palumbo would likely take Kluber’s spot in the rotation.
This story was originally published July 26, 2020 at 2:19 PM.
