HOUSTON -- The Indians will change up their normal rotation schedule due to residual effects from Cody Anderson's leg cramps during his last start, manager Terry Francona said on Tuesday.
Cleveland will use Thursday's off-day to slide Anderson's next start to Monday against Cincinnati. Anderson exited his start last Saturday after five innings when his leg tightened.
"We figured we could kind of realign some things, so with Cody going through that day Saturday where he cramped up, we just thought we could back him up," Francona said. "So he's not being skipped, he's just being moved back a few days."
Josh Tomlin will make his regularly scheduled start on Friday, followed by Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer on normal rest over the weekend. Wednesday's starter in Houston, Danny Salazar, will get an extra day of rest before starting next Tuesday.
The move was also made in anticipation of a doubleheader in Chicago on May 23. Francona said the realignment will allow the team more flexibility in regards to potential callups or someone pitching on short rest.
"Just trying to get all the planning down," he said.
As for Anderson, Francona said they're going to try something different this week. The 25-year-old hurler won't throw any side days or scheduled bullpens.
However, Anderson will spend a couple of games sitting with relievers in the bullpen, perhaps starting as soon as Tuesday night's game against the Astros.
"Just [let him] relax a little bit for a couple days," Francona said. "Think it will be good for him, just to be one of the guys. If he comes in to pitch, let it be for an inning. If he doesn't, we'll work in a side day.
"He's pressing a little bit, and on top of all that, he was sore the next day. He said he's fine, and that's good, but I don't see how a couple days will hurt him."
Anderson has yet to pitch more than six innings in a start this season and has allowed at least four runs in each of his last four outings. The second-year starter has already allowed seven homers this season through 25 innings, two off the nine he surrendered in 91 innings and 15 starts in his rookie year.