Indians place Scott Kazmir on DL; Recall Trevor Bauer

The Cleveland Indians have placed left-handed starting pitcher Scott Kazmir on the disabled list due to an abdominal injury, the team has announced. The Tribe called up top prospect Trevor Bauer to start Saturday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays in place of Kazmir.

Kazmir was recently scratched from Saturday's start due to his injury. He sustained what's been termed as a strained rib cage Monday during a team workout. He then threw a bullpen session Wednesday, and it was ultimately determined that he would not be able to take the mound this weekend.

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Cleveland expects Kazmir to miss two to three starts due to the injury. It's certainly not the beginning to the season the veteran envisioned. Kazmir -- who hasn't pitched in the majors in nearly two years -- battled against Bauer and others to win the No. 5 spot in Cleveland's Opening Day rotation.

While losing a pitcher to the DL is never good news, Indians' fans are likely excited to see their newly acquired top prospect in action. Cleveland acquired the right-hander over the offseason from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the three-team trade that also involved the Cincinnati Reds.

Bauer allowed 13 runs over 16 1/3 innings in his major league debut for the D'backs last season. The 22-year-old owns a career ERA of 3.00 with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.74 over parts of two seasons in the minors.

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