CLEVELAND -- For those who have been hoping, praying or just wondering when Trevor Bauer will get called up, Tuesday will be your day.
With the Indians optioning Danny Salazar to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Terry Francona all but said Bauer will move into that spot in the rotation. That would be on Tuesday in the second of a three-game series against Detroit at Progressive Field.
When asked if Bauer was an option to move into the rotation or if he will be, Francona said "both."
It is likely though that Bauer will not appear in Cleveland until Tuesday. To fill Salazar's roster spot, the Indians called up left-hander Kyle Crockett from Double-A Akron.
In seven starts with the Clippers, Bauer is 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA. He has allowed 11 earned runs in 46 innings with 44 strikeouts against 14 walks. The right-hander was called up for a spot start on April 9 in the second game of a doubleheader against San Diego and gave up just two runs (one earned) on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
Salazar, who started last year's AL Wild-Card game against the Rays and this season's home opener against the Twins, is 1-4 with a 5.53 ERA. He made it only four innings and gave up a pair of runs in Thursday night's loss to Toronto. Of his eight starts this season, there were only two where the right-hander made it into the sixth inning. The eight home runs allowed are tied for sixth in the American League.
"When he makes mistakes he is paying for it and not getting deep in games" Francona said. "He has got away from locating his fastball down, his breaking ball has been inconsistent and he's got away from his changeup and that was one of his best pitches.
"We want him to execute his pitches, use his changeup, get confidence in that pitch and be armed to get major-league hitters out."
This will mark the second time in less than three weeks the Indians have made a change to the rotation. Carlos Carrasco was sent to the bullpen on April 28 before Josh Tomlin moved into that spot. Tomlin, who is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA, will start on Saturday against Oakland and former Tribe pitcher Scott Kazmir (5-1, 2.28).
The Indians' starting staff entered Friday's game with a 4.27 ERA, which is fourth-worst in the American League.
On other injury matters, Francona said that outfielder Nyjer Morgan has a sprained PCL in his right knee but that there is no cartilage damage. Morgan was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday. Second baseman Jason Kipnis (oblique) could begin playing in rehab games later next week.
