Top prospect Salazar to rejoin Indians

Pitcher to be recalled from minors, start Wednesday

Cleveland Indians pitcher Danny Salazar will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start Wednesday, manager Terry Francona said Sunday, before the Indians' game against Miami. Salazar, who began the season in Double-A, pitched six innings to win his major league debut July 11 against Toronto, then returned to the minors.

MIAMI — Top prospect Danny Salazar will rejoin the Cleveland Indians to pitch in their upcoming series against AL Central leader Detroit.

Salazar will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start Wednesday, manager Terry Francona said Sunday before the Indians’ game against Miami. Salazar, who began the season in Double-A, pitched six innings to win his major league debut July 11 against Toronto, then returned to the minors.

“Sometimes it’s just a little bit of a balancing act between us winning and giving a guy an opportunity,” Francona said. “It’s not rocket science. We’re just trying to balance out Danny’s career with us winning.”

With the addition of Salazar, Ubaldo Jimenez will be given two extra days of rest and make his next start Friday against the Angels, Francona said. Jimenez took the loss in Miami’s 10-0 win over Cleveland on Friday.

Jimenez said he had no objection to the change. He’s 1-2 with an ERA of 6.92 in three starts against Detroit this season, which was a factor in the decision, Francona said.

“Some of it is competitive, and it also gives us a chance to give him a little bit off a blow,” the manager said. “We thought that would help him. We like the idea of resting him and at the same time seeing what this kid can do.”

Salazar, who has a 99 mph fastball, was signed by the Indians in 2006 and underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2010. The 23-year-old right-hander pitched five hitless innings in his most recent start Friday for Columbus against Buffalo.

The rest of the rotation against the Tigers will be Corey Kluber on Monday, Justin Masterson on Tuesday, and Zach McAllister on Thursday. The series gives second-place Cleveland a chance to gain ground on Detroit in the division race.