CLEVELAND -- The Indians activated Carlos Carrasco off the 15-day disabled list Thursday afternoon. The 29-year-old right-hander started the series opener against Kansas City at Progressive Field.
To make room for Carrasco, the Indians optioned right-hander Mike Clevinger to Triple-A Columbus. Clevinger made his Major League debut on May 18 against Cincinnati. He made three starts for the Tribe, posting an 0-1 record with an 8.79 ERA. He allowed 14 runs on 16 hits over 14 1/3 innings and struck out 13 batters compared to seven walks.
In his last start, Clevinger was chased out of the game after four innings of four-run ball against the Orioles. It was his shortest outing of his three starts.
"There's no part of me that doesn't think I belong," Clevinger said after his start against Baltimore. "That's not there. It's consistency and finding that even keel."
Despite a brief introduction to The Show, the Indians still believe Clevinger was able to learn a lot and that he will now be better prepared the next time he returns.
"I don't think the results were the way he would have scripted it," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Those three starts aren't going to define who he will be. But there is a lot to like. I think it will help the next time he comes back. ... I think he's got a pretty good outlook and I think he understands when he doesn't make pitches, he's going to get hit."
Pitching coach Mickey Callaway echoed Francona's comments and acknowledged that Clevinger has work to do in Columbus.
"Overall, I like the way he spins the ball," Callaway said. "I like his aggressiveness. It seems like he's got a pretty good ability to retain information. Saying all that, we've got some work to do. We've got to be able to slow things down between pitches and be able to execute pitches throughout the game."
Carrasco was 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four starts this season prior to sustaining a left hamstring injury when he was covering on a play at first base on April 24. In his rehab start, he threw about 60 pitches.
Worth noting
• Joba Chamberlain, who is on the disabled list, will throw a simulated game on Saturday, according to Francona. Chamberlain will throw about 20 pitches.
• Michael Brantley, who is also on the DL, will stand in to track pitches in the simulated game, according to Francona. Brantley hit off a tee on Thursday, and Francona said Brantley is expected to move to soft toss on Friday if all goes well.