McAllister to start Saturday for Indians

Published Jul. 9, 2014 7:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

CLEVELAND -- Terry Francona officially announced on Wednesday what many thought -- Zach McAllister will be the starter on Saturday against the White Sox.

McAllister (3-4, 5.89 ERA) will take the place of Justin Masterson, who was placed on the disabled list Tuesday due to inflammation in this right knee.

It will be McAllister's first Indians start since May 21, when he gave up five runs (four earned) in three innings against Detroit. He was placed on the DL the following day with a low back strain.

In his first four starts, McAllister was the Indians' best starting pitcher. The right-hander was 3-0 in mid-April and had an ERA of 2.28. In his past six starts, the right-hander was 0-4 with a 9.51 ERA.

McAllister was taken off the DL on June 18 because he was slated to pitch the following day against the Angels. But when the Indians had a game postponed due to rain, McAllister was the odd man out and sent to Columbus. In his six starts with the Clippers, which included two rehab starts, McAllister is 5-0 with a 2.23 ERA.

"I don't think it has been the easiest thing for Zach because he wants to be here," said Francona of McAllister. "I think he has done a good job of not letting it affect his pitching and that's what you ask a guy to do. We certainly want to care for our guys but you want to do what is right for the team."

Francona has also been pleased with the reports about Danny Salazar, who has won his last two starts. Francona said that Senior Scouting Director John Mirabelli saw Salazar's recent start and that Mirabelli said it reminded him of Salazar's first starts with the Indians last year. Salazar, who is 3-5 with a 4.93 ERA with the Clippers, is a possibility to be brought up for the July 19 doubleheader against Detroit.

MASTERSON UPDATE: Masterson did a light bullpen session and threw 25 fastballs. Pitching coach Mickey Callaway said the main thing now is trying to get some work in but keeping stress off the right knee.

When asked how much he thought the knee affected Masterson, Callaway said: "Obviously pretty bad. He went from one of the better guys to one of the worst. I think it was affecting the way he lands and is able to throw against his front side. That was probably the velocity difference we've been seeing."

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