Mitch Talbot (shoulder) was able to play catch Saturday.

Talbot will throw a bullpen session Monday and then start on Thursday against the Royals if everything runs smoothly. He was scratched from a scheduled outing this weekend due to a sore right shoulder.

Mitch Talbot (shoulder) has been scratched from his Saturday start.

Justin Masterson will start in his place. Talbot was removed from his last outing after feeling soreness in his throwing shoulder. It was later revealed to be inflammation and so the Indians are going to give him the week off. He should be fine by early next week.

Mitch Talbot (shoulder) is scheduled for a checkup with a team doctor Tuesday night, but is expected to make his next scheduled start Saturday against the Royals.

"We're not anticipating anything serious," said Indians manager Manny Acta. "The doctor is going to see him, but it doesn't look like anything significant. Once the doctor checks him out, we'll make a decision. Right now, he's still penciled in to make his next start." Talbot left Sunday's start with right shoulder inflammation.

Updating an earlier item, Mitch Talbot left Sunday's game after only three hitters due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder, according to the Associated Press.

We're not sure of the severity at this point, but this will probably end his season. It's possible the Indians might scrap initial plans to move Justin Masterson to the bullpen and re-insert him into the rotation. Masterson came on for Talbot Sunday and pitched seven solid innings in relief.

The Indians removed Mitch Talbot from Sunday's start after just three hitters with an apparent injury.

The trainer visited Talbot two different times before he was removed. The right-hander's velocity was down, which may or may not indicate a possible arm injury. We'll update you on his condition when more is known. Justin Masterson replaced Talbot on the mound.

Mitch Talbot was tagged with five runs over five innings in Monday's loss to the White Sox.

Talbot gave up 10 hits, walked three and hit a batter. The right-hander had a nice start to the season, but the wheels have really come off in the second half, as he has posted a 6.68 ERA in seven starts after the All-Star break. He can't be trusted in any sort of fantasy league right now. At least Talbot gets the Mariners this weekend.

Mitch Talbot lasted just 4 2/3 innings Thursday and gave up three runs (two earned), but the Indians rallied from behind for a 7-3 win.

The right-hander allowed baserunners galore, permitting eight hits while walking four (one intentional). He struck out two. Talbot has really struggled in his two starts back from the DL with a back injury and can't be trusted right now. He'll try to rebound next week against the A's.

Indians activated RHP Mitch Talbot from the 15-day disabled list.

Talbot only misses the minimum after straining his back late last month. After one rehab start against a Single-A team (with no strikeouts), Talbot is ready to go and will start Saturday against the Mariners. He can induce some groundballs, but with fewer than five strikeouts per nine innings, Talbot doesn't have much upside. He's not really an option in most fantasy leagues.

Mitch Talbot (back) is expected to be activated from the disabled list to start against the Mariners on Saturday.

Talbot allowed one run over three innings in a rehab start with Single-A Mahoning Valley on Saturday. We're not sure how long he'll last in Saturday's outing, but he's certainly a better option than David Huff. Talbot posted a 4.09 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 20 starts before going on the disabled list with a back strain late last month.

Mitch Talbot (back) allowed one run in a three-inning rehab start Monday evening at Single-A Mahoning Valley.

Talbot is expected to make at least one more rehab appearance, and possibly two. He was placed on the disabled list in late July with a back strain and had a 4.09 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 20 starts before going down.

Mitch Talbot (back) threw a successful bullpen session Friday.

Talbot, on the disabled list since late July with a back strain, is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Monday at Single-A Mahoning Valley. He should only need two or three total rehab outings.

Mitch Talbot has been diagnosed with a mid-back strain.

Talbot left his Thursday start against the Yankees after two scoreless innings and was replaced by Rafael Perez. He is considered day-to-day for now.

Mitch Talbot was lifted from his start against the Yankees on Thursday with an apparent right arm injury.

Talbot allowed three walks and a hit, but ultimately threw three scoreless innings before exiting the ballgame. Rafael Perez came on in relief.

Mitch Talbot allowed just two runs over seven innings but took a tough loss against the Phillies on Tuesday night.

Talbot did about everything that could be expected of him, settling in to face just two over the minimum after giving up a pair of runs in the first, but he didn't get much in the way of run support on this night. He'll face the Reds this weekend.

Mitch Talbot was shelled for eight earned runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss tot he Mets on Wednesday night.

Talbot has actually been a bright spot for the Indians this season, but tonight could very well be the beginning of the end. With a 37:31 strikeout-to-walk ration, AL-only owners should be thinking about other options for next week's start in Philadelphia.

Mitch Talbot limited the White Sox to one earned run in seven innings Saturday as the Indians grabbed a 3-1 victory.

Talbot out-dueled White Sox starter Jake Peavy, striking out five as the Tribe inched a win closer to awful on Saturday night on the south side of Chicago. Talbot improved his record to a nice-looking 7-4, but the Indians are no longer competing for much and it wouldn't surprise if his 3.54 ERA and 1.29 WHIP rise.

Mitch Talbot improved to 6-3 by allowing two runs over seven innings against the White Sox on Tuesday.

Talbot, who now owns a 3.73 ERA, brought an awful 20/24 K/BB ratio into the game, but his work Tuesday wasn't smoke and mirrors. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four, while scattering six hits. Next week Talbot draws the Yankees on the road, which will test the decision-making skills of AL-only owners. If we had better options, we'd probably yank him from our lineup for that one.

Mitch Talbot surrendered a season-high six runs in six innings Thursday in a loss to the Royals.

Talbot struck out one and walked three today, leaving him with an awful 20/24 K/BB ratio in 53 1/3 innings for the season. He's getting plenty of grounders, but he still needs to cut down on the walks if he expects to remain successful.

Mitch Talbot jumped to 5-2 on the season Saturday after holding the Orioles to five hits and two earned runs over eight innings.

Talbot has been the benefactor of a rather surprising amount of run support this season in Cleveland and tonight was no different, as the Tribe rallied for eight runs in the top of the ninth inning. He has a 3.23 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP this year and is worth grabbing in AL-only leagues.

Mitch Talbot improved to 4-2 despite allowing four runs in five innings against the Tigers on Sunday.

Talbot wasn't all that impressive while allowing six hits and four walks (one intentional), but he received just enough run support to make it stick today. With a 16/19 K/BB on the season he's easily a candidate for a significant ERA adjustment off his current 3.43 mark.