Indians Get Huge Update on Starter Mike Clevinger as He Nears Return From Injury

Part of the reason why the Cleveland Indians are currently mired in the doldrums of sub-.500 baseball is the absence of Mike Clevinger, who has been a stabilizing force in the rotation ever since the 2017 season.

Clevinger has only thrown 12 innings this season, but didn't give up a run while striking out 22. Now, after missing two months with a back injury, Clevinger is scheduled to make a rehab start with the Indians' Triple-A team in Columbus.

After two straight tremendous seasons, Clevinger has emerged as every bit as viable a starter as Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber, though those two have had troubling seasons so far due to ineffective play and injury.

With Clevinger on the mend, the Indians could finally be done weathering the worst of the storm.

If the Indians want any shot of usurping the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central, they need Clevinger to return to his 2018 form and be the shot in the arm their pitching staff needs.