Chen to get at least one more start
Catcher Gomes could start Minor League rehab assignment on Friday
CLEVELAND -- Given Bruce Chen's veteran experience, track record and presence in the clubhouse, the Indians have opted to keep him in the rotation as the fifth starter for at least one more start.
The 37-year-old Chen is scheduled to start for the Tribe on Friday in Texas following a rough season debut over the weekend. The left-hander was called up from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday for a start against the Twins, who tagged him for six runs on 10 hits in his four innings in a 7-4 loss for the Indians.
"We try not to make decisions based upon any one outing," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said on Wednesday. "I think Bruce had earned the opportunity to come up based upon how he had pitched not only this year, but in the years leading up to it, how he handled himself. He's already made an impact on a number of guys up here."
Worth noting
• Indians catcher Yan Gomes (15-day disabled list with sprained right knee) followed up an intense workout on Tuesday with more on-field drills before Wednesday's game against St. Louis. Manager Terry Francona said Gomes could begin a Minor League rehab assignment on Friday with Class A Lake County as a designated hitter.
• Charles Nagy, who is currently a special assistant to player development for Cleveland, will serve as the pitching coach for Triple-A Columbus through the rest of May. Antonetti said the team is still working through a plan for the rest of the season, following the departure of Carl Willis, who was hired as the Red Sox pitching coach.
• Left-hander TJ House (15-day DL with left shoulder inflammation) simulated two innings in a bullpen session on Tuesday. On Friday, House is scheduled to log three innings in a Minor League rehab assignment with Lake County.
• Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, who was signed to a Minor League deal on April 14, has been transferred to Triple-A Columbus, where he will slot into the rotation. Righty Carlos Marmol (signed to a Minor League contract on Friday) is working out at the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz.