Kluber's rehab continues to progress positively

CLEVELAND -- Corey Kluber continues to pass the necessary tests in his comeback from a sprained middle finger on his throwing hand. The Indians right-hander played catch on Saturday with no issues, which has been the theme throughout his rehab.

"It's good, really good," Kluber said on Saturday. "I don't have any issues at all throwing. I don't really have any issues with anything. So, it's just a follow-the-process kind of thing. I'm happy with how it's going.

"I was somewhat expecting to maybe feel it a little more once I started adding in new things. But, I haven't, really."

Kluber -- shelved with the injury on Aug. 6 -- is scheduled to rest on Sunday leading up to a bullpen session during the team's off-day on Monday. It will mark his first time throwing off a mound since injuring the finger in a start against the Tigers on Aug. 5, when he spun 7 1/3 shutout innings.

The injury stemmed from a breaking ball thrown in the eighth inning against Detroit. To this point in his throwing program, which only recently included playing catch without protective tape on his finger, Kluber has been limited to just fastballs and changeups.

Indians manager Terry Francona noted that Kluber was checked again by hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham, who was encouraged by the pitcher's progress.

"He's doing really well," Francona said of Kluber. "He was seen by the doctor and the doctor kind of gave him a thumbs up, like full go. That was great to hear. That was really good news."