Cleveland Indians; Danny Salazar Officially Recalled; Austin Adams Optioned to Columbus

The Cleveland Indians made the call-up of Danny Salazar official, as he was expected to be called up to start today’s game against the Minnesota Twins. In a corresponding move, Austin Adams was optioned to Columbus. For Adams, he’s been part of several transactions in the early season–but finds himself once again in Triple-A after initially winning the final roster spot in Spring Training.

For Salazar, the start today isn’t simply a “one-and-done”. Tribe skipper Terry Francona has already spoken with Zach McAllister, who will be moved to the bullpen to help bring it some stability. After just one start in Columbus–a six-inning, seven strikeout scoreless outing–Salazar will get another chance to secure a post in the rotation.

Salazar spent much of the offseason working to build up his body, but may have neglected pitching a bit.

“In spring training I think I was focusing on other things besides pitching,” said Salazar. “The whole off-season I was working on building my body so maybe I was focusing more on that than pitching.

With injuries to Gavin Floyd and Josh Tomlin, the depth the Indians had in pitching has thinned a bit, and a successful Salazar could go a long way to stabilizing the rotation. Carlos Carrasco avoided serious injury after being struck in the jaw by a line drive, but it just goes to show how quickly depth can deteriorate in the game of baseball.

How long Salazar remains in the rotation will be on him. The Indians need quality starts, to help alleviate the workload on the bullpen. But if Salazar can’t pitch like the Indians fell he’s capable, things will be just fine.

“I think the whole team hopes that,” said Callaway. “Not to put all the pressure on him, but if we get a good Danny Salazar, a good Carlos Carrasco, a good Trevor Bauer and a good Corey Kluber, we’re going to have a pretty good staff.”

For Adams, he might just want to get a P.O. Box for his mail. If he keeps forwarding it between Cleveland and Columbus, he may never get it.

Next: Today's Game Feels Like a Big One