[Lefty Noob]

Cleveland Indians P Cliff Lee will start the season on the DL because of a abdomenal strain, according to AP reports. Lee will likely not be available until mid-April. How much will his absence hurt the Tribe early on?

[azrael492]

As long as it is not lingering they should be OK. Sowers will have to pitch like he did last season though

[EmpireWF]

That's tough. The Indians aren't exactly expected to be the class of the division but this will hurt. He was expected to be a top of the rotation guy for them, right?

But like Azrael said, if he can come back as planned (in mid April) and miss just a couple of weeks (maybe 3 starts), and be healthy, maybe it won't hurt them as much.