CLEVELAND -- With four games remaining until the All-Star break, the Indians made a handful of moves to give their bullpen some reinforcements.
Prior to Thursday's game against the Yankees, Cleveland placed right-hander Zach McAllister on the 15-day disabled list with right hip discomfort and optioned righty Mike Clevinger to Triple-A Columbus. The Indians recalled right-handers Austin Adams and Joe Colon from Triple-A Columbus to take their spots in the bullpen.
"With the All-Star break coming, we can use that to our advantage," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Let [McAllister] rest up for a couple days, get him some side days, because we need to get him back to pitching the way he can. He's important in our bullpen, and that's become a little bit inconsistent."
McAllister has made 30 appearances for the Tribe this season, going 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA over 26 2/3 innings. Francona indicated that the big righty tweaked his hip while warming up on Saturday, when he was used for one inning as a starting pitcher due to Cleveland's taxed pitching staff.
Clevinger, who is normally a starter, was called up earlier this week to help out the fatigued relief corps. He pitched two scoreless innings of relief on Tuesday, but Francona noted that the right-hander can now start on Saturday for Triple-A in preparation for the Triple-A All-Star Game.
"We thought that was an honor that he should be allowed to do," Francona said.
Adams has made seven appearances for the Indians this season, posting a 2.35 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings of work. This will be Colon's first stint in the big leagues. Colon has made 13 appearances at Triple-A this season, putting together a stingy 0.59 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 15 1/3 innings.
"We can kind of gauge maybe where [Colon] is in his development," Francona said. "And it might help us make decisions later on when we get towards the Trade Deadline."
Other items of note
• Left fielder Michael Brantley, who resumed batting practice on the field on Tuesday, took pregame BP again prior to Thursday's game against the Yankees. Brantley (on the 60-day DL with a right shoulder issue) is scheduled to hit on the field again on Friday, though Francona said the Indians are not ready to announce when the outfielder will begin a Minor League rehab assignment.
• Catcher Roberto Perez (on the 60-day DL with a right thumb injury) has gone 2-for-4 with three walks through his first three Minor League rehab games with the Arizona (Rookie) League Indians. Perez is scheduled to move his rehab to Class A Lake County by mid-week next week during the All-Star break.