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Indians call up Adam Plutko to start Saturday against New York Yankees

Plutko went 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA in two starts for Cleveland last month.
Credit: AP
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Adam Plutko delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, May 18, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

The Indians continue to bring in reinforcements to help their battered starting rotation.

As was previously announced, the club on Saturday recalled right-hander Adam Plutko from Triple-A Columbus to take the mound for game two of a three-game series against the New York Yankees. It's the 27-year-old's second stint in the big leagues this year, after he went 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA in two starts last month.

Plutko's call-up comes at a crossroads situation for the Tribe rotation, with Mike Clevinger, Corey Kluber, Jefry Rodriguez, and Carlos Carrasco all currently on the injured list. In addition, 2018 All-Star and Cy Young candidate Trevor Bauer has seen his ERA balloon near 4.00 while posting a record of just 4-6.

The loss of Carrasco is particularly troubling, with the club announcing he is out indefinitely with a thus far undisclosed blood condition (although he is expected back at some point this season). With just three active starters at the time, manager Terry Francona announced Plutko would be brought to Cleveland to make the June 8 start against the Yankees, while a series of bullpen arms were used in Carrasco's place during Wednesday's 9-7 win over the first place Minnesota Twins.

With so many arms down along with Bauer's inconsistencies, second-year righty Shane Bieber and rookie Zach Plesac have done their best to pick up the slack in recent weeks, combining to go 6-3 with a 3.22 ERA. Plutko, however, has struggled, with his shaky Cleveland numbers also brought down by a 1-3, 7.47 ERA in four starts with the Clippers. He had been on the injured list until May 7 with a right forearm strain.

To make room on the roster for Plutko, reliever Jon Edwards was option back to Triple-A. The 31-year-old has gone 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in nine appearances across two stints with the Indians this season.

The Tribe still has just four starters in its rotation, but thanks to two upcoming off days, they will not have to call up a fifth until their May 18 matchup against the Texas Rangers. It is possible Clevinger, who has been out since early April with a back strain, could return by then.

Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. Former Indians ace CC Sabathia will toe the rubber for New York in what will be his final career start in Cleveland before he retires at the end of this year.

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