What It Means:

Kluber has been out since May 2 with back soreness, but after throwing a bullpen session on Monday, the Indians' ace is ready to take the next step in his rehab. He is scheduled to throw 75 pitches on Thursday, and if all goes well, he will be back in the big league rotation next week. Mike Clevinger has been good but lucky in Kluber's place with a 1.56 ERA but 4.54 SIERA in 17 1/3 innings.

Kluber has been off to a rough start, posting a 5.06 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 8.2 walk percentage in 37 1/3 innings pitched before his injury.