Marcum clears waivers, accepts Columbus assignment

CLEVELAND -- The Indians hoped they would find a way to keep veteran right-hander Shaun Marcum in the organization after designating him for assignment earlier this week. Cleveland got its wish on Wednesday.

One day after being designated, Marcum cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus, where he will slot back into the rotation. The move comes after Marcum worked five innings of emergency relief for Cleveland's beleaguered bullpen in Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Tigers.

"He knew coming in that it was going to be one [game]," Indians manager Terry Francona said on Tuesday. "After he pitched so well, we were trying to figure out maybe a way to get around [designating him]. I think after talking through it, it's not a fun thing to do, but I think it's probably the right thing to do."

Marcum, who has spent the bulk of the past two seasons working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome and subsequent shoulder setbacks, waived an opt-out clause in his Minor League contract at the end of Spring Training in order to pitch at Columbus. The right-hander has gone 58-46 with a 3.87 ERA in 189 big league games over parts of nine seasons with the Blue Jays, Brewers, Mets and Indians.