CLEVELAND – David Huff is back in the minor leagues and might just stay there for the rest of the season.
Huff, who has struggled to a 2-11 record and 6.21 ERA in 15 starts over two stints with the Indians this year, was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, clearing the way for Mitch Talbot to return to the rotation.
Reliever Jess Todd was recalled from Columbus to fill Huff’s roster spot, but the right-hander will likely be optioned back when Talbot is activated from the disabled list Saturday to start against the Mariners.
Huff returns to the minors with the same instructions he was given the last time he was sent down.
“He needs to command his fastball,” said manager Manny Acta. “We’ve said it over and over and over. This is a guy we need to be good for us to move forward as a ballclub. He’s proven in the past that he has the stuff to have some success up here. He needs to command his fastball. It’s as simple as that.”
According to Acta, positive results alone in Columbus won’t get Huff back in the majors.
“We already know he can go down to Triple-A and perform well,” Acta said. “We want him to go down and make the adjustments.”
The Indians could have chosen to send down right-hander Jeanmar Gomez (2-0, 1.56 ERA), a pitcher that wasn’t expected to appear in the majors this year, instead of Huff, a left-hander who led Cleveland with 11 wins in 2009 and began this season in the rotation.
“In a perfect world, David Huff would be pitching effectively out of the rotation and Jeanmar Gomez would have stayed at Triple-A and continued his development,” Acta said. “But the fact is Gomez has pitched three good games. Down (at Triple-A), you want to see development. At this level, results matter.”
Pronk’s prognosis
Travis Hafner (right shoulder inflammation) is expected to take batting practice this weekend.
Acta said Cleveland’s designated hitter will need two positive BP efforts before the club decides to activate him or send him out on a rehab assignment.
Brantley bit
Michael Brantley has shown signs of life at the plate in his latest stint with the Indians, entering Wednesday 5-for-16 with six runs, a triple, a homer and three RBIs in four games.
“I’m starting to feel more comfortable,” Brantley said. “I’m just trying to get my swing back on track so I can go out and contribute every day.”
Brantley has been in the lineup every day since being recalled for his third stint on the big league level, batting leadoff and playing center field, two spots he is expected to hold down over the remainder of the regular season.
Minor details
It’s been a rough ride at Columbus for left-hander Jeremy Sowers, a first-round draft pick and former member of the Indians’ rotation. Sowers, the sixth overall draft choice in 2004, entered Wednesday with a 2-6 record and 5.85 ERA in 27 games (four starts). He is a long shot to be promoted in September. … Corey Kluber, a right-hander acquired in the Jake Westbrook trade with St. Louis, got shelled for six runs on 11 hits over four innings of Double-A Akron’s 11-0 loss to Reading on Tuesday. He has allowed 10 runs on 19 hits over eight innings of his first two starts for the Aeros.
Roundin’ third
The Indians entered Wednesday with five players batting under .200 on the year – Andy Marte (.198), Lou Marson (.186), Brantley (.178), Luis Valbuena (.167) and Chris Gimenez (.150). Brantley, Valbuena and Gimenez were all in the lineup Wednesday. … The Indians signed their 49th-round draft pick, outfielder Marcus Bradley (Central Arizona College). … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM. Gomez (2-0, 1.56) vs. Millwood (2-11, 6.05).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
