Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber's bullpen session went well Wednesday, and MLB.com reports he could be back in the rotation sooner than expected from a right middle finger injury.
Kluber threw 45 pitches while mixing in fastballs, changeups and cutters, and will likely throw just one more time before coming off the disabled list. He is expected to toss a simulate game Saturday.
"That might be his last time throwing before pitching for us," pitching coach Mickey Callaway told MLB.com. "We do a lot of things in September."
With the expansion of rosters Sept. 1, the Indians can return Kluber from the DL and essentially have him make a shorter rehab start at the major-league level. They will have extra pitchers available to pick up the slack in that case.