After getting off to a hot start through his first two starts, Mike Clevinger's 2019 season has hit a speed bump.
On Tuesday, the Cleveland Indians announced they have placed Clevinger on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 8. On Sunday, the 28-year-old right-hander left the Indians' 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays with tightness in his upper back after pitching five scoreless innings.
Although Clevinger told reporters the move was precautionary and that he planned on making his next scheduled start, it appears he won't be doing just that due to what the Indians have labeled "a right upper back/Teres major muscle strain." Should his stint in the I.L. last just 10 days, he would likely only miss one start with right-hander Nick Wittgren having been recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take his place.
After working throughout the offseason to increase his velocity, Clevinger has enjoyed a strong start to his 2019 campaign. Pitching in Cleveland's home opener last week, he allowed just one hit and recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts before receiving a no-decision in what was ultimately a 5-3 Indians win. He followed that up by once again only allowing a single hit and striking out 10 batters before leaving his winning performance vs. Toronto in which he threw 75 pitches in five innings.
Through his first 12 innings of the 2019 season, Clevinger has yet to allow an earned run.
In his place, Wittgren will likely be making his Indians debut. Acquired from the Miami Marlins in a February trade, the 27-year-old right-hander arrives in Cleveland after posting a 2-1 record, 2.94 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 32 appearances at the major league level last season.
