Kluber lined up for ALDS Game 5, if needed

KANSAS CITY — Indians ace Corey Kluber took a critical step forward on Sunday morning and remains on target to start against the Red Sox in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

In the hours leading up to Cleveland’s game with the Royals, Kluber took the mound in the visitors’ bullpen at Kauffman Stadium and logged 20 pitches. It was a brief mound session, but an important one as the leader of the Tribe’s rotation works his way back from a mild quadriceps strain.

“It went good,” Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. “He looks good. Basically, we did all windup, just so he was using his legs, just to make sure [he didn’t feel anything].”

Now that Kluber has passed that test, he is scheduled to throw a more intense bullpen session on Tuesday in preparation for his Friday meeting with the Red Sox. Due to the recent health issue, Cleveland opted to go with Kluber in Game 2, because that would put him on a normal five-day program for a Game 5 start, if necessary.

The Indians announced on Saturday night that right-hander Trevor Bauer will start in Game 1 on Thursday and Josh Tomlin will get the nod for Game 3 on Oct. 9. Should the ALDS matchup with Boston extend to a Game 4, Cleveland felt confident that Bauer could …

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