Emmanuel Clase to miss 8-12 weeks

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase is expected to miss the next 8-12 weeks due to an upper back strain in Spring Training.

The Cleveland Indians got an update in regards to the status of relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase and it is not good. Clase is expected to miss 8-12 weeks with a teres major strain per Mandy Bell.

Interestingly enough, Mike Clevinger had the exact same injury just one year ago. Clevinger was able to return ahead of initial timetable. Clevinger is in the process of doing that again as he recovers from his meniscus injury.

This just a bit different from the initial report of Clase being able to pitch through the injury if it were the regular season. Clase is going to miss the start of the season which will put the Tribe’s bullpen to the test. Cleveland has a couple of good relievers, but Emmanuel Clase and his triple digit velocity is not something they can replicate. Brad Hand, Adam Cimber, Nick Wittgren, and Oliver Perez. Good, not great. Not even close in the velocity department.

Emmanuel Clase and Delino Deshields were the return in the Corey Kluber deal this past offseason. Not necessarily a great start to the post-Kluber era. Cleveland is now down a starter and a key reliever as they continue to get ready for the regular season.

The injury to Clase may clear a path for another young reliever to make the Opening Day roster. James Karinchak. Some expected Karinchak to make the team anyway, but the possibility of Cleveland playing with service time was a reality. Now the Indians really cannot afford to do that, perhaps making it a bit easier for Karinchak to begin the season in Cleveland.