CLEVELAND — The Indians will add another starting pitcher Saturday as they attempt to stop the bleeding on their fast-deteriorating season. Left-hander Bruce Chen’s contract will be purchased from Triple-A Columbus, and Chen will start Saturday vs. Minnesota.
Chen will replace left-hander TJ House in the rotation. House is on the disabled list with an inflamed shoulder. Chen, a 17-year major league veteran, started the season in Columbus after failing to win a spot in the major league rotation in spring training.
“It’s amazing that someone who has pitched as long as he has, most of it in the major leagues, was willing to go to the minors, and that he seemed to genuinely enjoy every second of it,” said Tribe manager Terry Francona. “He’s really a classy kid, and I hope he spins eight shutout innings (May 9) because we’d like this relationship to last.”
The Indians’ starting rotation could use some help. Right-hander Corey Kluber, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, is 0-5 and the Indians are 0-7 in games he’s started. House was 0-4 with a 13.15 ERA when he went on the DL. And right-hander Trevor Bauer, in his last two starts, is 0-1 with a 10.61 ERA, having given up 11 runs on 16 hits in 9 1/3 innings.
Francona was vague when asked if this is a spot start for Chen or if he’ll remain in the rotation. But Francona did say “The plan is not for him to start once and get out of here.”