CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians placed Mike Clevinger on the 10-day injured list Thursday.
The 28-year-old sprained his left ankle during his June 17 start against the Rangers. The Indians recalled Josh Smith from Triple-A Columbus. The move was retroactive to June 18.
Clevinger has posted a 2.70 ERA in three starts this season. He twisted his ankle coming off the mound in the second inning Monday against the Rangers. It was his first start since April 7 after suffering a Terres major muscle strain in his back, which kept him out for more than two months.
The Indians expect Clevinger to miss one start. He was walking around the clubhouse with his left ankle taped on Friday. He threw a bullpen on Thursday and played catch this week in hopes of being able to pitch on Saturday.
"He felt like if he had to pitch like that, he wouldn't have been real comfortable," manager Terry Francona said. "If he would go out there and hurt his arm because he was favoring his ankle or something that would be terrible.
"Once we told Clev that we have the day off on Thursday, and he really only misses one start, he was like, ‘I get it.’ So, it makes sense."
Aaron Civale will start in Clevinger's place on Saturday against the Tigers. He's 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two starts for Triple-A Columbus. His year began at Class AA Akron, where he posted a 4-0 record with a 2.67 ERA in five starts. The Indians selected Civale in the third round of the 2016 draft.
Injury updates
Corey Kluber – Kluber continues to do lower-body exercises in his quest to return to the mound. He'll have his eight-week checkup next week. That appointment will determine what's next for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
Bradley Zimmer – He had a setback just before being sent to Columbus for a rehab assignment, which is why he's still in Arizona. He's back to hitting live pitching in Goodyear, but hasn't began throwing. He had shoulder surgery last July.
Danny Salazar – Salazar has thrown two simulated games in Arizona in his quest to return to the mound. Both outings lasted two innings. He's waiting to pitch in a real game in Arizona before he gets a rehab assignment. The Indians haven't determined if he'll be a starter or a reliever when he does return.
Dan Otero – Otero was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on June 2. He had a setback during the latest road trip and was scheduled to get examined on Friday night.
