KANSAS CITY -- After having flirted with the idea of returning right-hander Danny Salazar to a starter's role on Wednesday, the Indians have decided to keep him in the bullpen for now, and start right-hander Josh Tomlin on regular four days rest in the road trip finale against the Rockies.
Salazar threw 37 pitches in mopup duty on Saturday and allowed three hits and one run over 1 2/3 innings.
"He's got some work to do," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We felt like the best thing to do is keep him where he is and let him keep working more often. He'll have more chances to throw with shorter segments. He's still not where he needs to be."
Around the horn
• When the Indians noticed a drop in velocity from right-hander Carlos Carrasco in the fifth inning Saturday, Francona quickly sent pitching coach Mickey Callaway to the mound to check on Carrasco's health. Carrasco assured Callaway that he wasn't having any physical issues.
"I sent Mickey out there because it was so noticeable," Francona said. "One, you don't ever want a guy to pitch when he's hurt. Two, you don't want to lose the game. Mickey came back and said 'no, he's fine.' But [the ball] still wasn't coming out good."
• With an off-day looming on Monday, Francona kept outfielder Michael Brantley out of the lineup on Sunday so that Brantley will have the benefit of a two-day rest cycle.
"He kind of fought me on it," Francona said. "I'd rather him be mad at me and finish the year strong. We always talk about doing the right thing, regardless of how things are going. I have a responsibility to him, too. He would have played two games today."