The Cleveland Indians plan to exercise the $17.5 million option they hold on Corey Kluber for the 2020 season.

Kluber's season was shortened by injury. He was hit by a line drive that broke his right arm early in the year. As he was nearing a return, a strained oblique muscle set him back.

"I think this is almost a blessing in disguise. Yeah, we missed the heck out of him, but come next year I bet you he has a chance to be the Kluber that we've seen and relied on," Terry Francona said. "For the innings and what he has given our team, I betcha he has a chance of being that again because of having a little bit of a layoff."

The Indians could buy out Kluber's 2020 option for $1 million. The club has an $18 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.