CLEVELAND — Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall has located the light at the end of the tunnel.

Chisenhall, who has struggled for the majority of his debut season, is picking up the pace at the plate as of late, entering Monday batting .311 (14-for-45) with four home runs and 10 RBIs over his last 10 games.

“It takes some guys more time,” said manager Manny Acta of Cleveland’s first-round draft pick in 2008, who was batting .245 on the season with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 58 games through Sunday. “He’s only 22 years old. Some people forget that he was at (Double-A) Akron last year.”

It has been a slow process for Chisenhall, who like many young left-handed hitters, has struggled against pitching from the same side — .220 (9-for-41). Acta predicts that will improve over time.

“I don’t foresee him struggling down the road against lefties,” Acta said. “We see him as a very good hitter down the road, period. He’s got a short, compact swing.”

Chisenhall has started hitting at an opportune time. The Indians envision him as their future third baseman, but need more offense than they got from the position this year.

Acta still thinks Chisenhall is the man for the job.

“He’s pretty confident in his ability, too, and that helps,” Acta said. “He’s got some learning and some adjustments to make, but it’s just a matter of time.”

Tomlin time

RHP Josh Tomlin (right elbow soreness) will pitch a simulated game today at Progressive Field, and according to Acta, could pitch in one of the games of a doubleheader against the Twins on Saturday.

Tomlin (12-7, 4.25 ERA) still leads the team in wins despite being sidelined since Aug. 26.

Back for more

As was expected, the Indians recalled RHP Zach McAllister from Triple-A Columbus to start the second game of a doubleheader today against the White Sox.

McAllister, 12-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 25 starts for the Clippers, will be making his third spot start of the season for Cleveland. He went 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA in the first two.

Acta was asked if McAllister was a candidate for the rotation next season.

“We need to see better than what we’ve seen,” he said.

Next up

The Indians continue the final homestand of the season with a four-game series against the White Sox that begins today with a day-night doubleheader.

Fausto Carmona (6-15, 5.26 ERA) pitches the first game of the doubleheader (1:05 p.m.) against RHP Gavin Floyd (12-11, 4.42), while McAllister (0-1, 12.27) starts Game 2 against RHP Dylan Axelrod (0-0, 2.25).

Ubaldo Jimenez (10-11, 4.49) starts for Cleveland on Wednesday (7:05 p.m.), Chicago countering with LHP Mark Buehrle (11-9, 3.74).

Jeanmar Gomez (4-2, 3.78) pitches the series finale Thursday (7:05 p.m.), while the White Sox counter with RHP Phil Humber (9-8, 3.59).

Minor details

• With its second straight International League title already secured, Columbus plays in the Triple-A national championship game tonight against Omaha in Albuquerque, N.M. Mitch Talbot (2-0, 1.69 ERA in two postseason outings) starts for the Clippers, who are the first of Cleveland’s top affiliates to win back-to-back IL titles since 1991-92.
• RHP Jason Rice cleared waivers and was outrighted to Columbus. Rice, whom the Indians originally claimed off waivers from Oakland, was designated for assignment when RHP Zach Putnam was promoted from Columbus and added to the 40-man roster.

Roundin’ third

• Carlos Santana and Shelley Duncan have been hot as of late. Santana entered Monday batting .333 (9-for-27) with four homers and eight RBIs over his last seven games. Duncan was batting .320 (16-for-50) with six homers and 14 RBIs in 15 September games through Sunday.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.