CLEVELAND -- With the bullpen being taxed due to early exits by the starters, the Indians called up T.J. House on Saturday in case they needed some long relief the next couple days.
This is the second major-league stint in less than a year for House. He was called up last June 24-26 when the Indians were in Baltimore but did not appear in a game. Since those games were at Camden Yards, it was a different feel for House when he entered the Indians' clubhouse on Saturday.
"It is fun getting to come up with the team that drafted you," said House, who was drafted by the Indians in the 16th round of the 2008 draft. "Getting to walk in the door and be with these guys it's a wave of emotions. There are a little bit of jitters but you hope it works out for the best."
The 24-year old, left-hander has spent the entire season in Triple-A Columbus, where he went 1-2 with a 2.40 ERA in seven starts. The ERA is eighth in in the International League and opponents are hitting .235 against him.
House was told he was called up on Friday as the Clippers were headed to Syracuse. Since all the flights out of Syracuse were cancelled, he wasn't able to catch a flight until Saturday morning from Rochester.
Bringing House up also marks the third member of the Clippers' rotation to get called up. Josh Tomlin gets his third start of the season on Saturday and Trevor Bauer will be called up for Tuesday's game against Detroit.
"I know what to expect of myself and the hitters. My offspeed has been a lot better. I'm attacking guys and being aggressive," House said.
Terry Francona said that he likes that House has been able to sink his fastball better along with improving his velocity.
To make room for House, the Indians demoted C.C. Lee. The right-hander made 13 relief appearances for the Indians, giving up seven runs (six earned) in 11 1/3 innings for a 4.76 ERA.
