Marcum recalled, Walters optioned to Triple-A

CHICAGO -- Shaun Marcum is back in the big leagues. The Indians officially recalled the veteran right-hander from Triple-A Columbus for his second stint in the Majors this season on Wednesday, and they optioned Zach Walters to Columbus.

Marcum missed all of 2014, but is 58-46 with a 4.21 ERA in his big league career.

He made one appearance for the Indians earlier this season, pitching five innings while allowing just one earned run on April 12 against the Tigers. He notched a 4-0 record and a 1.36 ERA in five starts for Columbus, and he took the mound for his first big league start since 2013 on Wednesday night against the White Sox.

Walters, a utility man, has played three different positions for Cleveland this season. The 25-year-old batted .059 in 17 at-bats, but filled in for the Indians at shortstop, third base and left field. Walters has played in 77 games in three seasons in the Majors and is a career .178 (27-for-152) hitter.

"We had an extra position player and he needs to play," manager Terry Francona said of Walters. "With him having the abbreviated Spring Training and starting late, I think, even by his own admission, he needs some repetition. He's got some moving parts in his swing, so for him to sit around, especially when he hasn't had a lot of at-bats under his belt, that would be pretty tough for him."