With two off days this week, the Indians were already making adjustments by going to a four-man rotation. They will make one more with this weekend's series at Seattle.
Justin Masterson will miss his scheduled start on Sunday due to a sore right knee. Manager Terry Francona told reporters before Wednesday's game that Masterson will throw a bullpen session in Seattle. If he's OK, he would likely go on Tuesday against the Dodgers.
Masterson is 4-5 this season and went just four innings in his last start this past Tuesday at Arizona, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits with four walks and six strikeouts.
Of pitchers who have made 15 or more starts, Masterson's 5.03 ERA is the second-highest in the American League and sixth-highest in the Majors. Left-handers are batting .313 against him this season and in nine road starts, he is 1-4 with a 6.65 ERA.
After Wednesday's game, Masterson told Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com that the knee has been bothering him since his second start of the season.
The Indians are expected to call up a pitcher for Sunday's start with it likely to be T.J. House, who started for Columbus on Tuesday against Buffalo. Zach McAllister pitched Thursday's 9-0 win over Buffalo and allowed only three hits in 6 2/3 innings with two walks and six strikeouts.
LINDOR UPDATE: Francisco Lindor suffered a small, non-displaced nasal fracture on Wednesday when a ground ball took a bad hop during the third inning against Erie.
Lindor will be shut down from baseball activity the next several days and is expected to return to action in the next 7-10 days. The shortstop, who has been selected to play in the MLB Futures Game on July 13, is batting .283 with six home runs and 43 RBI.
