CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians took a cautious approach with right-handed pitcher Danny Salazar throughout spring training and the first three months of the 2018 regular season, but their patience was not rewarded with a single outing for the Major League club this year.
After undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas, Monday, it was announced that Salazar will not pitch for the club again this season.
“Meister performed an arthroscopic debridement and bursectomy on Danny’s throwing shoulder,” the Indians said in a release. “He will not throw for 12 to 16 weeks and will miss the remainder of the 2018 season.”
PHOTOS: Cleveland Indians RHP Danny Salazar to miss rest of 2018 season after shoulder surgery
An All-Star after starting the 2016 season with a 10-3 record and 2.75 earned run average in 17 starts, Salazar struggled after first experiencing elbow discomfort in July.
Following a return from the All-Star break and a stint on the disabled list in August, Salazar went 1-3 with a 7.44 ERA in eight starts. Over 32.2 innings of work, Salazar allowed 44 hits, 29 runs, 27 of which were earned, and seven home runs with 17 walks against 43 strikeouts.
In two World Series appearances, Salazar worked three innings, surrendering one hit and two walks, but struck out four hitters and did not allow an earned run.
During the 2017 season, Salazar was 5-6 with a 4.28 earned run average in 23 games, including 19 starts. Over 103 innings of work, Salazar allowed 94 hits, 49 earned runs, 14 home runs and 44 walks, but struck out 145 batters.
Over 587.1 innings of work in 108 appearances during his five years with the Indians, Salazar has a 38-33 record with a 3.82 earned run average. Salazar has registered 686 strikeouts against 210 walks while batters are hitting .240 against him at the Major League level.
The 2018 season began much the same way the 2016 and 2017 campaigns ended, with questions about Salazar’s health, as for the third consecutive year, he experienced arm issues.
Since his All-Star selection in 2016, Salazar has been plagued by right elbow and shoulder inflammation as well as tightness and fatigue in his forearm for the better part of the last 18 months.