CLEVELAND — With All-Star reliever Andrew Miller sidelined for at least a week, Indians Manager Terry Francona is remodeling Cleveland’s bullpen.

Miller was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday because of right knee tendinitis. Francona said an MRI confirmed the original diagnosis and that the left-hander has been bothered by the soreness “for months.”

The team is discussing more aggressive treatments for Miller, who has struggled with his control in recent weeks.

Francona said there was a direct link between Miller’s injury and the wildness.

“It’s his landing leg and he doesn’t have anything to firm up against,” Francona said Thursday.

Typically, Miller enters to face dangerous hitters in the seventh and eighth innings before Francona turns to closer Cody Allen. Miller also closed earlier this season.

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For the time being, starter Mike Clevinger will pitch out of the bullpen, giving Francona an extra arm until Miller’s ready. Francona said Clevinger, who is 5-4 with a 3.68 ERA in 14 starts, could pitch in relief for the next week.

TIGERS: Michael Fulmer hopes a stint on the 10-day disabled list will provide him with the rest he needs to recover from a quirky, persistent elbow injury.

An MRI revealed fluid around the elbow, but Manager Brad Ausmus says there’s no ligament damage.

RANGERS: Yu Darvish has left the Texas Rangers, but not without leaving behind a thank you.

In a full-page ad placed in Thursday’s edition of The Dallas Morning News, the right-hander thanked Rangers fans for the courtesy and support they showed him in his five years with Texas since arriving from Japan.

He acknowledged what he called “a small number of voices that said, ‘Darvish only cares about strikeouts.”‘ He said that he might have had strikeouts on his mind, but fans and teammates were his top priority.

His biggest regret? Giving up 10 runs in his last start with the Rangers before he was traded to the Dodgers.


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