Indians pitcher Zach McAllister and Danny Salazar are the two candidates to replace the injured Justin Masterson in the rotation starting Saturday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
McAllister posted a 5.89 ERA and 43:19 K:BB ratio in 10 starts in April and May before going on the disabled list with a back injury. He was activated in mid-June but had his first scheduled start rained out before being sent to Triple-A Columbus, where he's 5-0 with a 2.23 ERA and 34:7 K:BB ratio in 36 1/3 innings over six starts, which includes his rehab assignment.
Salazar burned bright during the second half of 2013 but struggled early this season, going 1-4 with a 5.53 ERA and 47:17 K:BB ratio in 40 2/3 innings over eight starts before being sent down to Columbus. He's 3-5 with a medicore 4.93 ERA and an excellent 53:17 K:BB ratio in 42 innings over eight Triple-A starts, but he's looked better in recent outings.