31 Danny Salazar SP

Salazar (groin) elected free agency after being outrighted off the Indians' 40-man roster Monday.

Salazar's career has become derailed by injuries after a promising start. He's made just a single big-league appearance over the last two years combined, injuring his groin in August in his first start since recovering from a serious shoulder issue. He'll likely generate some interest as a lottery ticket due to his career 3.82 ERA and 27.7 percent strikeout rate, but he'll turn 30 in January and is one of the biggest injury risks in the league, so expectations should be kept very low.

Salazar (groin) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Salazar stepped away from his rehab assignment earlier in the week and the move to the 60-day IL means he'll be sidelined through the end of the regular season. The 29-year-old returned from the IL at the end of July and allowed two runs over four innings during his lone start before going back on the shelf. Salazar would be eligible to rejoin the Indians in October, but that seems unlikely given how this season has unfolded.

Salazar asked for and was granted time away from his rehab assignment Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Salazar has had a run of bad luck over the last two seasons. He was sent to the injured list in early August immediately after making his first start since 2017. It's not clear that he's in the Indians' plans the rest of the season.

Salazar (groin) struck out one over a perfect inning Tuesday in his rehab start for Double-A Akron.

Salazar made only one start for the big club earlier this month before straining his right groin in that same outing and returning to the 10-day injured list. The Indians haven't specifically outlined their plans for Salazar the rest of the season, but his usage Tuesday indicates he'll most likely be in store for a bullpen role once he's activated. The emergence of rookie Aaron Civale along with the potential return of ace Corey Kluber (oblique) from the IL later in September lessens the need for Cleveland to bring Salazar back in a starting role.

Salazar (groin) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on Monday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Salazar has been on the shelf since Aug. 1 with a groin injury that he suffered in what was his first big-league start since 2017 due to recurring shoulder injuries. With a little more than a month left in the regular season, the Indians may opt to bring back Salazar in a relief role. He's scheduled to pitch one inning for Akron on Monday.

The right groin injury that landed Salazar back on the 10-day injured list is being labeled as mild, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.

Salazar entered the Cleveland rotation Thursday for his first appearance with the big club since 2017 after a long road back from a variety of health issues. In a cruel twist of fate, he lasted just four innings and dealt with diminished velocity before he was pulled on account of the groin injury. While he finds himself back on the IL once again, the fact that Salazar's injury is considered mild at least counts as good news and leaves the door open for him to resurface with the big club before long. He'll begin rehabbing right away in Tampa, but it's unclear if the Tribe envisions him filling a rotation or bullpen role once he's ready for game action again.

Salazar was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right groin strain, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Salazar was removed from Thursday's start after four innings due to groin soreness and now finds himself back on the shelf. The 29-year-old was activated off the 60-day IL prior to the outing in what was his first start since 2017. Salazar said he didn't believe the injury was too serious but it will still end up costing him at least 10 days.

Salazar (groin) allowed two runs off four hits and three walks while recording two strikeouts as he was charged with the loss Thursday against the Astros. He exited the game with groin soreness, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Salazar's velocity was down in his first major-league start since 2017, and the groin soreness helps explain why, as the injury continued to worsen throughout the game. He'll be evaluated Friday, but the 29-year-old said he doesn't expect the injury to be too serious.

Salazar (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Salazar is back with the big club ahead of what will mark his first big-league start since 2017 on Thursday against the Astros. The right-hander looked sharp across six rehab appearances, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB in 17.1 innings. He'll assume Trevor Bauer's spot on the 25-man roster, while Eric Stamets was designated for assignment to free up a 40-man spot for Salazar.

Salazar (shoulder) will return from the 60-day injured list to start Thursday against the Astros, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Salazar isn't expected to pitch particularly deep into the contest, as he's only been stretched out to around 70 pitches. Still, the Indians will certainly be happy to see the return of a player who hasn't throw an a big-league pitch since 2017. It's not clear what Salazar can offer after over a year and a half lost to shoulder troubles, but he was an effective pitcher when we last saw him, posting a 3.82 ERA and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate over five seasons of work. He owns a 2.60 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 17.1 rehab innings.

Salazar (shoulder) tossed four shutout innings Saturday in his rehab start for Triple-A Columbus. He gave up one hit and one walk and struck out four in the 69-pitch outing while sporting a fastball that averaged around 93 miles per hour, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic.

The outing was the sixth of Salazar's rehab assignment, the last two of which have come at the minors' highest level. With the 30-day window for Salazar's rehab coming to a close soon, the Indians will have to make a decision on his fate with the organization. Salazar has no minor-league options remaining, so the Indians won't have the luxury of stashing him at Triple-A upon activating him from the 60-day injured list. Because Salazar hasn't pitched at the MLB level since the 2017 postseason, the Indians might prefer to ease him back into the fold as a reliever rather than asking him to fill a back-end rotation spot immediately.

Salazar (shoulder) allowed zero runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six over 3.1 innings Sunday for Triple-A Columbus.

This was Salazar's longest and most impressive start to date on his road back to the majors. He's been relatively solid in all of his outings except for one in which he gave up three earned runs in just 2.2 innings. In his other four, however, he has given up no more than one earned run and is demonstrating an impressive 23:4 K:BB. It still remains unclear whether he will return to the Indians as a starter or in a relief role.

Salazar (shoulder) struck out five over 1.2 innings Sunday in a minor-league game, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Salazar began his rehab assignment with one of Cleveland's rookie-league affiliates, and following a solid showing, he's in line to toss a bullpen session Tuesday and will likely make one more start in rookie ball. The right-hander has been on the shelf since undergoing shoulder surgery in June of 2018, so the Indians are expected to take it slow with Salazar as he works his way through the minor leagues.

Salazar (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Salazar will make a start with one of Cleveland's rookie-league affiliates Sunday, and if all goes well in that outing, he will move to a higher level. The Indians will have 30 days to evaluate him in the minor leagues, and they figure to take up most or all of that time given that Salazar's injury has prevented him from appearing in a big-league game since 2017.

Salazar (shoulder) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with the Indians' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate early next week, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Salazar has been facing hitters in simulated games at extended spring training over the last few weeks, with his most recent outing coming Tuesday. Assuming Salazar's shoulder checks out fine following that appearance, he should take the next step forward in his recovery progress by heading to the minors. Considering that Salazar's last appearance in an uncontrolled setting came in October 2017, he'll likely need most of the full 30-day rehab window before the Indians bring him back from the 60-day injured list. The Indians haven't clarified how they plan on using Salazar once he returns from the IL, but he'll most likely be ticketed for the bullpen.

Salazar (shoulder) threw live batting practice for the first time this season Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Salazar is still recovering from the shoulder surgery he underwent last June. He suffered a brief setback in early May but has been back throwing for a couple weeks. His return timeline remains unclear.

Salazar (shoulder) has been throwing side sessions, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Salazar has been cleared to resume throwing after being shut down for a few days following a shoulder setback. The right-hander will likely need to ramp up his throwing program before a timetable for his return comes into focus.

Salazar will be shut down for a few days with a shoulder setback, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Salazar has been throwing bullpens for over a month, but something didn't feel right after his most recent one. He visited with the doctor who performed his shoulder surgery last June and has been told to back off for now. He remains without a clear timeline to return to the field.

Salazar (shoulder) has been throwing two bullpens per week at extended spring training, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Salazar is working his way back from shoulder surgery that he underwent last June. While this is an encouraging step for the right-hander -- as he had previously been limited to long toss -- he remains without a concrete timetable for his return.

Salazar was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Salazar has yet to resume throwing off a mound after undergoing shoulder surgery last June, so this move shouldn't impact his recovery timeline. The 29-year-old is throwing from 180 feet as he continues his rehab, with mound work being the next step in his progression. There is no firm timetable for Salazar's return at this point.