ANAHEIM, Calif. — Cleveland Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco, off to a slow start in the rotation, is being moved to the bullpen.
Wednesday is Carrasco’s turn in the rotation, but he will be replaced by right-hander Zach McAllister, who will start on three days’ rest, manager Terry Francona said Tuesday.
Because of Thursday’s off day, the Indians won’t need a fifth starter until May 6. Carrasco, though, will stay in the bullpen, and the Indians are expected to call up a starter from Triple-A Columbus, either right-hander Trevor Bauer or right-hander Josh Tomlin, to fill the spot.
Carrasco, who is 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA in four starts, expressed disappointment at the move, but Francona said Carrasco needs to just go out and pitch when called upon.
“This isn’t a career move,” Francona said. “This is just for now, this is what we’re doing.”
Carrasco’s best season came in 2011, when he went 8-9 with a 4.62 ERA in 21 starts. However, Carrasco missed the last two months of 2011 and all of 2012 with an elbow injury that resulted in Tommy John surgery.
Since returning from the operation, Carrasco is 1-7 with 6.82 ERA in 19 games (11 starts) going back to 2013.