The Cleveland Indians rotation has already taken a blow as starter Mike Clevinger has sustained an injury. He injured his knee, requiring surgery, which ultimately will keep him out of the rotation for six to eight weeks. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported that Clevinger would be headed to the Injured List. The knee injury ultimately would require surgery to repair his meniscus and will keep him off the ice for some time.
Clevinger out 6-8 weeks for cleveland
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 15, 2020
In 2019, Clevinger would make twenty-one total starts, totaling 126 total innings. He would pitch to a 13-4 record, a 2.71 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and 169 total strikeouts on the season. This was one of his best statistical seasons since coming into the league, though he did have fewer starts than in prior years, like 2018. The Indians’ rotation was held down by Clevinger, Kluber, and Shane Bieber, but things have changed as of late.
Going into the 2020 season, the Indians’ rotation will be held down by Bieber as the ace. Besides Bieber, the Indians will get Carlos Carrasco back to the starting rotation after battling leukemia, so he will be the two-starter now since Clevinger is hurt. The Indians also moved Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers in the offseason, which shows that the team is moving in a new direction, relying more on younger players like Zach Plesac or Aaron Civale. For the time being, Clevinger will remain on the shelf, and the Indians will go through Spring Training with Logan Allen slotted to join the rotation with his absence.
