Surging Indians to get injured ace back for Thursday start

By foxsports
Published

 

Indians ace Corey Kluber has been cleared to return from a right hamstring injury and will start Thursday night against Kansas City.

Last year's AL Cy Young winner, Kluber did some infield work on Tuesday. Manager Terry Francona says the right-hander ''did fine,'' was given the OK by the medical staff and will face the Royals in the series finale. Kluber's return is a big boost for the Indians, who have won 13 of 18 to get back to .500 and are battling for one of the AL's wild-card spots.

Kluber hasn't pitched since Aug. 29. He threw two bullpen sessions in recent days.

He's just 8-13 this season, but Kluber, who went 18-9 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 2014, has pitched better than his record shows. He has a 3.41 ERA and ranks among the league leaders in innings, strikeouts and complete games.