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Louis DeLuca / Associated Press
Corey Kluber will make a fresh start after agreeing to a free agent deal with the New York Yankees on Friday.
Deal pending physical, ESPN says Jeff Passan. MLB.com Mark the fine sand reported that Kluber’s one-year deal was worth $ 11 million.
Kluber pitched just one round in 2020 with the Texas Rangers before suffering a Grade 2 strain of the teres major muscle. The shoulder injury stopped him for the remainder of the season after being acquired in a December trade for Delino DeShields and Emmanuel Clase.
His time in Texas resulted in just three hitters facing zero points allowed.
Rangers turned down his $ 18 million option for 2021, instead paying the $ 1 million buyout as he reached free agency.
It was the second straight season filled with injuries for Kluber, who made just seven starts in 2019 while dealing with arm and oblique issues. This creates significant question marks over the durability of the 34-year-old.
The right-hander has been a dominant pitcher when in good health, particularly from 2014 to 2018 with the Cleveland Indians. He won two Cy Young Awards in those five seasons, adding three All-Star selections and an ERA title.
Kluber was 83-45 during that streak, adding a 2.85 ERA, 1.016 WHIP and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
The hope is that he will come back in full force by the start of next season.
If he can replicate anywhere near his previous production, the Yankees will have secured a free agency flight.
New York needs some pitching depth in 2021 and Kluber can provide a lot of help next season if he can stay healthy.
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