Francona expects Kluber will be ‘fine’ by ALDS

DETROIT — Indians manager Terry Francona wants everyone to calm down.

The Indians are currently down their top three starters, but ace Corey Kluber is not expected to be sidelined for long. Barring any setbacks, Kluber’s mild quadriceps strain should not get in the way of him logging a couple bullpen sessions in the days leading up to the American League Division Series.

“It’s not like he’s in a wheelchair,” Francona said on Wednesday afternoon. “He’ll be fine.”

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Kluber exited Monday’s AL Central-clinching win over the Tigers after four innings due to the quadriceps strain, which was identified in an MRI exam on Tuesday in Cleveland. The right-hander was back with the team in Detroit by Tuesday night and was already feeling improved by Wednesday.

Francona noted that Kluber pitched through some discomfort for part of Monday’s outing, but Cleveland decided it was most prudent to remove the starter from the game. The Indians are also missing righties Danny Salazar (right forearm) and Carlos Carrasco (fractured right hand) at the moment, so Kluber will be a critical piece to Cleveland’s postseason plans.

The team announced on Tuesday that Kluber should be ready to return to game action in …

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