The Texas Rangers’ newly-acquired ace Corey Kluber was unable to pitch longer than one inning in his first start since May 1st, 2019, departing his Sunday start with right shoulder tightness after throwing just 15 pitches.
Kluber, a three-time All-Star and two-time AL Cy Young Award winner during his tenure with the Cleveland Indians, showed no signs of injury or shoulder problems during pre-game warmups, and only notified manager Chris Woodward after the first inning of the problem.
The Alabama native missed the majority of last season due to a fractured right arm which he sustained after being hit with a line drive on the mound. While he was set to return in the second half of the season, an oblique strain suffered during a rehab start meant that his 2019 season ended after just seven starts.
Acquired by Texas over the offseason in exchange for Delino DeShields and Emmanuel Clase, Kluber is in the final year of a six-year contract which he signed in 2015 and was expected to be the center piece of the Rangers’ rotation
However, the righty’s shoulder strain has thrown at least a temporary hitch into those plans. At this point, there is no established timetable for Kluber’s return.
