Texas Rangers: Corey Kluber set to throw for teams in January

Corey Kluber’s time with the Texas Rangers was a disaster. He is looking to get on the comeback trail starting in January.

The Texas Rangers thought they had acquired a key piece in their quest to return to the postseason when they traded for Corey Kluber. Despite his injury issues in 2019, he was healthy once again, and presumably ready to return to being a top of the rotation starter. Instead, he lasted for one inning in Texas, felled by a teres major strain in his throwing shoulder.

Kluber is now on the comeback trail. He began a throwing program in November, and according to reports, is likely to throw for interested teams in January.

There was a time when Kluber was one of the top pitchers in the game. He posted a 94-50 record between 2013 and 2018, along with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.045 WHiP, striking out 1364 batters with just 256 walks in his 1238.2 innings. Kluber won two Cy Young awards, was a three time All Star, led the league in wins twice, and took home the 2017 ERA crown.

But those days seem to be far in the rearview mirror. Kluber has made just eight starts in the past two years, totaling 36.2 innings, as he has battled injuries. In addition to his teres major injury last season, he had a fractured right arm after being hit by a line drive and suffered an abdominal strain during his rehab.

As Kluber will be 35 years old just after the start of the 2021 campaign, it is impossible to expect that he will once again be that Cy Young candidate that he had once been. However, if he can stay healthy, he would be a solid addition in the middle of a rotation, a low cost option that could pay significant dividends.

With his previous track record, Kluber will attract plenty of interest if he is healthy. As it is, the Red Sox and Twins are already reportedly interested in his services, and the Texas Rangers have indicated a willingness to bring him back. Should he look good in January, the number of interested teams will only increase.

Corey Kluber is on the comeback trail once again. Even if he is not the staff ace he once was, he can be a key part of a playoff rotation.