Trevor Bauer injury: Exits ALCS Game 3 after 21 pitches (Finger)

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer had to exit Game 3 of the 2016 ALCS after 21 pitches because he just couldn’t stop bleeding from his finger.

The Cleveland Indians held a 2-0 lead on the Toronto Blue Jays heading into Game 3 from the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Monday night. Cleveland asked Trevor Bauer to pitch in this primetime start days after slicing his finger while messing with a drone.

Bauer had to delay his start from Game 2 to Game 3. He battled like crazy to start Game 3, but had to be removed from the game after only 21 pitches. Bauer could not stop bleeding out of his pitching hand. He pitched 0.2 innings, walking two, and striking out one. Dan Otero came in to replace him.

The Indians were able to get a run across in the top of the first to lead 1-0. Game 3 is a must-win for Toronto, playing in its second-straight ALCS. Falling 3-0 to Cleveland would not bode well for the Blue Jays’ chances to reach their first World Series since 1993.

With Bauer being pulled from the game in the first frame, this opens up the opportunity for the elite Blue Jays offense to take advantage of the Cleveland bullpen. The Indians have leaned on their starting pitching in 2016 under manager Terry Francona.

Cleveland is still in a good spot to advance to its first World Series since 1997. The Indians haven’t won a World Series since 1948, but don’t have the city’s professional sports curse bogging them down anymore. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers ended the 51-year title drought by beating the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.

Next: Best Starting Pitchers in MLB History

The Indians will play at least three more games in this best-of-seven series. Will they be able to get a healthy Bauer back in time for the deciding game or maybe even the 2016 World Series?