It sounds like Corey Kluber has no plans to stay away from the game after announcing his retirement from baseball a week ago. After toeing the slab for 13 seasons, Kluber is reportedly considering other ways to work with teams. As reported by Newsday’s Erik Boland, two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber is discussing a “yet-to-be-defined advisory position” within the Yankees organization. It is unclear at this time if the position will be as a member of the coaching staff or in the front office.
Before announcing his retirement on Feb. 9th, Kluber put together an outstanding career as a member of the Cleveland Guardians (Indians), Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Boston Red Sox. Kluber won two AL CY Young Awards during his 2014 and 2017 campaigns with Cleveland, while also bringing home an ERA title and three All-Star selections. Overall, he posted a 3.44 ERA, 1.129 WHIP, 3.23 FIP, and a 122 ERA+ over 1,641.1 innings pitched. His best seasons were during 2013-18, where he accumulated a 94-50 record with a 2.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 2.89 FIP, and enjoyed a 143 ERA+ over 1,238.2 innings pitched.
While Kluber’s career is notably outstanding, it did not come without hardship. He suffered a fractured right ulna after being struck by a line drive in May of 2019, forcing him to only pitch 35.2 innings before being traded to the Rangers; where he only threw one inning due to a teres major muscle tear in his right shoulder. Kluber then signed with the Yankees in 2021 as a free agent but only tossed 80 innings because of a shoulder injury. He posted a 3.63 ERA that season.
Yankees fans fondly remember Kluber’s stint with the team, where they witnessed him pitch a thrilling no-hitter against Texas on May 19th. During this special night, he was only a four-pitch walk to Charlie Culberson away from throwing the 24th perfect game in MLB history. Kluber finished the dazzling effort with nine strikeouts and pitched the organization’s 12th no-hitter while counting Don Larson’s perfect game during the 1956 World Series.
While a deal hasn’t been completed as of yet, it seems likely that Kluber could be back in pinstripes sooner rather than later.
