Carrasco moved to bullpen

After Carlos Carrasco struggled again in last Friday's loss to San Francisco, many wondered if the Indians had finally seen enough of him as a starter. It turns out they had.

Following the Indians 6-3 loss to the Angels on Monday, Terry Francona said that Carrasco has been moved back to the bullpen and that Zach McAllister will get the start on Wednesday on only three days rest.

"That way we fortify the bullpen," said Francona to reporters of the move. "Hopefully, we'll get him on a roll and he can help us out there."

In four starts this season, Carrasco is 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA. Against the Giants, he gave up four runs on five hits but it was the first time he went six innings or more this season. After struggling in his first two starts earlier in the season, the Indians decided to skip a start with Carrasco hoping that things would turn around.

After Friday's game, Carrasco said the adjustments in his delivery he had worked on during the offseason and spring training -- raising his left arm to create more deception -- was not working and that he was throwing harder when the arm was lower.

Carrasco's last win as a starter was June 29, 2011, at Arizona. He had either a no decision or loss in his last 17 starts as the Indians went 3-14 in those games. In that span, Carrasco was 0-12 with a 8.12 ERA.

Francona also said after the game that he would like to keep a five-man rotation. With the Indians having an off day on Thursday before starting a homestand against the White Sox and Twins, they wouldn't need to fill that spot until May 6 with either Trevor Bauer or Josh Tomlin likely to be called up from Triple-A Columbus.

Bauer (3-0, 1.40 ERA) got the win against Norfolk last Sunday as he went seven innings and gave up two runs on five hits while striking out seven. Tomlin (1-1, 2.77), who was very solid during spring training, got his first win of the season last Friday with eight innings of shutout ball and six strikeouts against Gwinnett.

Bauer was called up earlier this season for a spot start in a doubleheader against San Diego on April 9. The right-hander went six solid innings in a 2-1 loss, giving up four hits and two runs (one earned) with eight strikeouts and two walks.

Wednesday will mark the first time in 56 Major League starts that McAllister has gone on three days rest. He threw only 75 pitches over five innings in last Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Giants and allowed four runs on five hits with six strikeouts and a walk.