The Texas Rangers made a big splash this offseason by acquiring starting pitcher Corey Kluber. Just three games into the 2020 season, the Rangers are already experiencing a scare after Kluber left Sunday’s start with a shoulder injury.
Corey Kluber exits start with shoulder injury
Making his regular-season debut with the Rangers, Kluber took the mound on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies. After facing the minimum in the first inning, Kluber didn’t return to the mound in the second.
The 34-year-old righty struggled to stay healthy during the 2019 season with the Cleveland Indians. He made only seven starts, missing a majority of the year with a right ulna fracture in May and then being shut down in August by an oblique strain.
Cleveland traded away the two-time AL Cy Young Award recipient this offseason, with Texas buying low on the talented hurler. Unfortunately, Sunday’s injury highlights some of the durability concerns surrounding Kluber heading into the 2020 season.
He will undergo further evaluation on Monday before the team likely provides another update. If Kluber misses significant time, it would be a huge blow for Texas’ rotation in a shortened season.