Indians Kluber likely to return to season after recovery

Cleveland Indians ace right-hander Corey Kluber is hopeful he'll be able to return from a fractured right forearm at some point during the 2019 season. "In my mind, I'm not looking at it as season-ending," Kluber said Tuesday, his first time speaking to reporters since his right ulna was fractured by a 102 mph comebacker on May 1.

"I don't have a plan not to pitch again," he added. "Obviously, I don't have a definitive timeline, because it's all depending on how things heal." Kluber sustained a non-displaced fracture but didn't require surgery. His arm was wrapped in a soft cast on Tuesday, and he's been very limited in his movements -- including staying out of the dugout during games -- until a hard cast is put on.

Kluber, 33, was officially placed on the injured list Friday, and the team said he would be reevaluated in three to four weeks. The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner is 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA in seven starts this season, after being an All-Star in each of the past three years.

In nine major league seasons, Kluber has a 98-58 record with a 3.16 ERA in 208 games (203 starts). He was the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2014 (18-9, 2.44 ERA) and 2017 (18-4, 2.25 ERA), and he finished third in the voting last year after going 20-7 with a 2.89 ERA. 

(With inputs from agencies.)