CLEVELAND – All signs point to left-hander David Huff making a spot start for the Indians on Sunday.
Huff, who began the season in Cleveland’s rotation, was scratched from his scheduled start for Triple-A Columbus on Friday. That would appear to signal that the left-hander is returning to the big leagues.
Huff also reportedly sent a Tweet to a Cleveland beat writer that indicated he would start Sunday in the series finale against Detroit.
“It’s not finalized, but David is a candidate,” said Indians manager Manny Acta.
Huff, who went 2-9 with a 6.04 ERA in 13 starts before his demotion to the minors, has made four starts for the Clippers (3-0, 4.15 ERA).
“We knew he was going to go down there and have good numbers because he’s been there, done that,” Acta said. “It’s not about that. It’s about working on the stuff we wanted him to work on, which is the command of his fastball.”
Sunday’s scheduled starter, right-hander Justin Masterson, will start Tuesday in Minnesota, following Monday’s starter, left-hander Aaron Laffey, to the mound.
Injury update
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (fractured left forearm) had played in three rehab games for Class A Mahoning Valley (two) and Double-A Akron through Thursday, going 4-for-10 with two doubles and two RBIs. He played shortstop for the Aeros on Thursday and was expected to DH Friday in Akron. It appears Cabrera will be back on the big league level later this month.
“It could be 30 (at-bats). It could be less than 30,” Acta said. “We don’t have a timetable just yet. We want to make sure he’s fine when he comes up here because he hasn’t played in two months.”
Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo (right thumb sprain) has begun hitting off a tee and Acta said he expects him to take batting practice sometime this weekend. Choo, who is eligible to leave the disabled list Sunday, won’t necessarily require a rehab assignment.
“We’re not anticipating that,” Acta said. “He keeps himself in such good shape.”
Got the fever
Third baseman Jhonny Peralta was not in the lineup, just getting over a fever that sidelined him for a workout Thursday at Progressive Field. Acta said the move was a precautionary one and that Peralta was feeling better and available to pinch hit.
In what might come as surprise, Peralta entered Friday leading all American League third baseman with a .979 fielding percentage. He had committed five errors in 82 games.
Bye-bye
The Indians officially released veteran catcher Mike Redmond, who was designated for assignment Friday to clear room for Chris Gimenez.
Redmond, 39, hit .206 with five RBIs in 22 games for Cleveland.
Minor details
Columbus RHP Carlos Carrasco was impressive in the Clippers’ first game of the second half Thursday – a 6-1 victory over Norfolk – allowing just a run on two hits, while striking out six over seven innings. Carrasco (8-4, 4.10) is a candidate to join the big league roster before season’s end.
• Cleveland’s opening day catcher Lou Marson has struggled since his demotion to Columbus, entering Friday batting just .158 (12-for-76) with two homers and four RBIs in 23 games.
Roundin’ third
The Indians have been shutout seven times this season, which is the most in the majors.
• With an average age of 27.43, Cleveland owns the youngest 25-man roster in baseball.
• A man throwing out one of the ceremonial first pitches wore a “Quitness” T-shirt to the mound.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
