Indians starter Danny Salazar was diagnosed with a mild strain to his flexor musculature after undergoing an MRI in Cleveland on Monday, the club announced. The right-hander will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection tomorrow. He’ll be shut down from throwing for 10 days and won’t return to action for at least three to four weeks.
Salazar, 26, left Friday’s start against the Twins after four innings as he felt tightness in his right forearm. There was some concern that his ulnar collateral ligament could have been compromised, which might’ve meant Tommy John surgery. The Indians and Salazar both breathed a sigh of relief, I’m sure.
Overall, Salazar has had a good season for the Indians, but after making the All-Star team, he’s had a rough second half. His splits:
- First half: 10-3, 2.75 ERA, 118/46 K/BB ratio, 9 HR allowed (104 2/3 innings)
- Second half: 1-3, 7.44 ERA, 43/17 K/BB ratio, 7 HR allowed (32 2/3 innings)
If things go smoothly from here, it sounds like Salazar could rejoin the Indians in time for the postseason. The club holds a seven-game lead over the Tigers for first place in the AL Central.