Surgery for Mike Clevinger: Torn Meniscus

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2030 days ago

The Indians pitching rotation took a hit when Trevor Bauer was traded midway through last season. It took an even bigger hit when Corey Kluber was traded to Texas earlier this offseason. Earlier this morning, Zack Meisel reported yet another crippling blow to the Tribe’s starting staff: Due to a torn meniscus, it’s surgery for Mike Clevinger.

Sources: Mike Clevinger is scheduled to undergo surgery today after he sustained partial of the medial meniscus in his left knee while training this week. He has been on crutches. Timetable for a return will be established following the procedure.

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) February 14, 2020

What Does Surgery for Mike Clevinger Mean for the Tribe?

Mike Clevinger is without a doubt Cleveland’s number one guy in the rotation. Even after the departures of both Bauer and Kluber, the Indians still have fantastic starting pitching. Clevinger, Carlos Carrasco, and Shane Bieber are all set to return for 2020. In addition, guys like Adam Plutko, Aaron Civale, and Zach Plesac provide the team with plenty of young, but high-quality, depth. FanGraphs pegged the Indians as the fifth-best rotation in baseball last season, and Bleacher Report slates them to be the league’s eighth-best staff this season.

Clevinger led the AL in FIP last year with a mark of 2.49. He did, however, miss about two months last season with a strained upper back. Despite the injury, he managed to start 21 games to the tune of a 2.71 ERA. "Sunshine" racked up 169 strikeouts in the process and won AL Pitcher of the Month in August. Clevinger picked up popularity earlier in the offseason with his take on the Houston Astros cheating scandal.

Mike Clevinger speaks his mind about the Astros scandal. 🔥💯pic.twitter.com/LEC3T1gmp0

— Baseball Vault (@bsbvault) January 24, 2020

The Indians have said that a timetable for Clevinger’s return is still unknown. Bob Nightengale of USA Today, however, says that he will be unavailable for the start of the season.

Big blow to the Cleveland #Indians: Ace Mike Clevinger was diagnosed with a partial tear of his left medial meniscus and will undergo arthroscopic surgery today. He will miss the start of the season.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 14, 2020

Cleveland opens the season at home on March 26th against the Detroit Tigers. The Indians have plenty of questions offensively, so relying on their pitching rotation will be a must for them this season. The more time Clevinger misses, the more they may have to bank on their offense. That’s not exactly a good thing.

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