CLEVELAND – Right-hander Josh Tomlin will be promoted from Triple-A Columbus to replace an injured Aaron Laffey in the rotation.
It’s a somewhat surprising move with the Indians needing to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for Tomlin, who will be making his major league debut Tuesday against CC Sabathia and the Yankees.
“Josh Tomlin deserves to be up here and get the shot,” said manager Manny Acta of the right-hander, who is 8-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 20 games (17 starts) for Columbus. “He’s done nothing but pitch effectively in the minors and he’s pitching better than anyone at Triple-A.”
The 25-year-old Tomlin, a 19th-round draft pick in 2006, is expected to be promoted Tuesday, with the Indians making the subsequent 40-man roster move that day.
After a recent positive side session, Carlos Carrasco, who was suffering from tightness in his forearm, was thought to be the front runner to take Laffey’s spot. Acta said the right-hander was healthy enough to pitch and would make his next start, but it will come in Columbus.
Left-hander David Huff, who has spent the majority of the season in Cleveland’s rotation, and Jeanmar Gomez, a right-hander that made an impressive spot start for the Indians, were also candidates.
Most of the reports on Tomlin have been positive, but he was involved in some negative news off the field.
Tomlin and two other minor leaguers, Beau Mills and Jerad Head, were charged with felonious assault, stemming from an incident at an Akron nightclub on June 3. The charges were recently reduced to disorderly conduct.
Acta said Tomlin would remain in the rotation until Laffey (shoulder fatigue) is ready to leave the injured list. He is eligible to be activated early next month.
Wood’s world
Closer Kerry Wood (blister right index finger) threw a bullpen session at Progressive Field on Sunday.
“He felt good,” Acta said.
Wood is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Tuesday and most likely won’t need a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the Indians bullpen. He is eligible to leave the disabled list on Wednesday.
Big league Choo
Shin-Soo Choo hasn’t shown much rust since leaving the disabled list, going 5-for-11 with two doubles and two RBIs in three games after missing close to three weeks with a right thumb sprain.
“He hasn’t missed a beat,” Acta said. “This guy has come out swinging the bat well. It’s nice to have him on your side.”
Things have come slower for shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who missed over two months with a fractured left forearm. He has gone 5-for-21 with a double in five games since his activation.
Next up
The Indians host the Yankees in a four-game series that begins tonight at 7:05.
Jake Westbrook (6-6, 4.74 ERA) opens the set for Cleveland, opposing RHP Javier Vazquez (8-7, 4.68), while Tomlin (0-0, 0.00) squares off against Sabathia (13-3, 3.18) on Tuesday (7:05 p.m.).
Fausto Carmona (10-7, 3.51) goes for the Indians on Wednesday (7:05 p.m.) against RHP A.J. Burnett (8-8, 4.77), while Mitch Talbot (8-9, 4.08) pitches the series finale Thursday (7:05 p.m.), the Yanks countering with RHP Sergio Mitre (0-2, 3.99).
It is the final meeting of the season between the teams, New York taking three of four from Cleveland at Yankee Stadium (May 28-31), while outscoring the Indians 37-20.
Minor details
Luis Valbuena led the charge for Columbus in a 12-7 victory over Pawtucket on Saturday, going 5-for-6 with two doubles, a homer and three RBIs. Valbuena, Cleveland’s opening day starter at second base, entered Sunday hitting .326 with eight doubles, four homers and 15 RBIs in 22 games for the Clippers since his demotion. … RHP Alex White won his third straight start for Double-A Akron on Saturday, allowing a run on eight hits, while striking out seven over eight innings of a 12-1 victory over Reading. White, Cleveland’s top draft pick (15th overall) last year, ranks second among Indians minor leaguers with a cumulative 2.00 ERA in 20 starts at Akron and advanced Class A Kinston, and third with 90 strikeouts in 117 innings. … RHP Jason Knapp made his season debut Saturday, pitching a scoreless inning without allowing a hit and striking out one for the Indians’ Arizona League team. Knapp, acquired in the Cliff Lee trade with Philadelphia last year, is recovering from offseason surgery on his right shoulder.
Roundin’ third
Carlos Santana’s 21 RBIs in his first 38 games are the most by an Indians rookie over the span since Ryan Garko drove in 30 in 2006. … A crowd of just 13,410 showed up to celebrate Slider’s 20th birthday. A number of mascots were in attendance for the event, but Cavaliers mascot Moon Dog was a no-show. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
