Tribe options Adams to make room for Salazar

MINNEAPOLIS -- In need of a roster spot for starter Danny Salazar, the Indians optioned reliever Austin Adams to Triple-A Columbus prior to Saturday's game against the Twins.

A shift in thinking for the rotation led to Adams being the odd man out in Cleveland's bullpen. Salazar was recalled from Triple-A in order to start Saturday's game and the plan is to keep him in the starting staff. As a result, right-hander Zach McAllister -- already with two relief outings under his belt this season -- will remain in the bullpen for the foreseeable future.

That meant that the right-handed Adams drew the short straw, considering he has Minor League options available for Cleveland to use. In two appearances for the Tribe this season, the 28-year-old Adams has posted a 1.93 ERA with only one strikeout and two walks in 4 2/3 innings.

"His last outings have been pretty good," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "I said, 'Someday, you'll be the kid that doesn't have the options.' He understands. It's kind of unfortunate for the player, but for the organization, you kind of know going into the year that there's guys that have options."

Francona has typically gone with eight relievers in the past, but Saturday's move means the Tribe has seven arms in its bullpen. Helping matters is the fact that McAllister and right-hander Anthony Swarzak have the ability to log multi-inning outings.