In starts in this period, he has given up four runs in 14 innings (2.52 ERA)-five runs in 15 2/3 innings counting the bullpen day start (2.87 ERA).
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An MRI on Salazar’s right forearm found a mild strain of the flexor muscle.
The Cleveland Indians are in a great spot with just 20 games left in the regular season. He owns an 11-6 record in 25 starts.
While the news is certainly worse than the initial report that Salazar would miss one start due to the forearm issue, there were certainly more frightening potential outcomes for Cleveland.
However, the injury-riddled season continues to put pressure on finding a fourth postseason starter in the increasingly likely event that Salazar is unable to fill the role.
Here the obvious choice is Clevinger, although how each pitches for the rest of the month as regular members of the rotation could obviously change things. He had an terrible month of August, allowing 17 runs in 12.1 innings, but he looked to be back to his normal self in September with two solid starts.
The question isn’t whether the Indians can make the postseason without Salazar, they should be fine there. He allowed 14 runs in 14.1 innings during his first call-up, but since has held a 3.00 ERA with 27 strike outs in 27 innings as a spot starter and reliever.
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Josh Tomlin is now set to replace Salazar in the rotation after being replaced himself. And, the best news is that the timeline allows for a possible Salazar return during the Major League Baseball postseason.
