McAllister placed on 15-day disabled list

BALTIMORE -- After watching Zach McAllister allow 27 runs in his last six starts and 18 runs in his past 5 2/3 innings, the Indians placed their starter on the 15-day disabled list with a low back strain prior to Thursday's game against the Orioles.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona isn't quite sure when McAllister started being affected by the injury, but the Tribe had to put him on the DL before he continued to aggravate it.

"Guys like to pitch and they don't always say stuff," Francona said, "I think he's going to be OK, but I don't think this has been helping."

McAllister began the season 3-0 with a 2.28 ERA, but his 9.51 ERA over his past six starts has brought his record to 3-4 and his season ERA all the way up to 5.89.

McAllister will be replaced in the starting rotation by T.J. House, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday and will start Friday. Relief pitcher Mark Lowe was also brought up from Triple-A and reliever Kyle Crockett was sent down to join the Clippers.

In a normal situation, McAllister may have been able to stay on the Major League roster and just miss a start, but after Wednesday's marathon that required nine pitchers, including two starters, the Tribe didn't have that luxury.

"We don't have the ability right now to push him just because of the amount of innings and everything, so we'll put him on the DL," Francona said, "We'll let that thing simmer down and then we'll get him going again."