The once-strong Cleveland Indians rotation is struggling to stay healthy, and they may have to change their plans for the playoffs as a result.
According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Indians are now considering using a three-man rotation, with Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer going on short rest.
Sources: Cleveland discussing three-man postseason rotation with Kluber and Bauer on short rest, Tomlin/Clevinger piggyback or alternating.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 19, 2016
It’s the best Cleveland can do. Their once-formidable rotation has lost Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar to injury, leaving Kluber, the ace, and the other names. Bauer hasn’t been great and in an ideal world neither Josh Tomlin or Mike Clevinger would be starting playoff games. Salazar has at least an outside chance of returning for the playoffs, but it’s no guarantee, nor can we be sure how effective he’ll be if he does return. At full strength, Cleveland may have been the favorite in the AL. Now, they’ll likely face an uphill climb.
