Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona expressed optimism Wednesday that injured ace Corey Kluber would be available to pitch in the American League Division Series.
Kluber exited Monday night's AL Central-clinching win over the Detroit Tigers after only four innings with what was announced as right groin tightness, and an MRI Tuesday revealed he has a mild quadriceps strain.
"He pitched four innings with this," Francona told reporters Wednesday. "We wanted to get him out of there because we didn't want to make it worse. It's not like he's in a wheelchair. He'll be fine."
According to the Indians, Kluber's timetable for returning to game activity is a week to 10 days. Cleveland's first playoff game is Oct. 6.
Francona indicated Wednesday that the right-hander is likely to throw at least one bullpen session before pitching in the ALDS, but "not until he's ready to do it. That goes completely on how he's doing.
"I would think he'd be able to get a couple in for sure."
Kluber, who won the 2014 AL Cy Young Award and is a top contender for the honor this year, is 18-9 with a 3.14 ERA.
The Indians are already without starting pitchers Carlos Carrasco, who is out for the season with a nondisplaced fracture in his right pinkie finger, and Danny Salazar, who threw a bullpen session Wednesday as he tries to make his way back from a strained right forearm.