KANSAS CITY -- Indians manager Terry Francona weighed his options and ultimately decided the time is right for Mike Clevinger to be summoned from Triple-A Columbus and start Sunday's series finale against the Royals.
"Clev," Francona said as his club prepared to take batting practice on Friday. "He'll get here [Saturday] and start Sunday. We'll back [Trevor Bauer] up a day. He may even be able to throw another side, which would be good for him. With Clev making the jump, it keeps him on his schedule. We thought it made sense."
Clevinger was 3-1 at Columbus with a 1.50 ERA in six starts. The right-hander struck out 32, walked 10 and allowed 23 hits in 30 innings.
"His pitch counts have run up there, so he hasn't pitched deep, but he has pitched really well," Francona said.
The Indians won't have to make a corresponding roster move until Sunday. They have been going with a nine-man bullpen of late.