The Indians are shifting fifth starter Josh Tomlin to the bullpen in favor of rookie right-hander Adam Plutko, manager Terry Francona revealed last night (link via Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer). Plutko, 26, will be recalled later this week to make what will be his second Major League start. Hoynes notes that Plutko “would appear to be the Tribe’s fifth starter for the time being.”
It’s been a struggle this season for the veteran Tomlin, who has posted a 7.84 ERA in seven appearances, six of which have come out of the rotation. The 33-year-old is demonstrating his typical brand of excellent control (1.7 BB/9), but his 5.2 K/9 mark is his lowest since 2012, and he’s surrendered an unthinkable 15 home runs in 31 innings of work.
Tomlin has spent parts of the past nine seasons on Cleveland’s big league roster, working both in long relief and out of the rotation, so the hope for now seems to be that a move to the relief corps will help him overcome his struggles while giving a younger arm the opportunity to prove himself. The timing of his troubles is hardly ideal, given that he’s set to reach free agency at season’s end, though there’s still more than four months for him to right the ship and return to form.
Plutko was long considered one of the organization’s most promising pitching prospects before a disastrous 2017 season in Triple-A caused his stock to drop. However, after posting an alarming 5.90 ERA in 135 2/3 innings with Columbus last season, Plutko is off to a strong start in 2018, having compiled a tidy 2.25 ERA with 7.2 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and 0.8 HR/9 in 44 innings of Triple-A ball. He’s also already made one spot start for Cleveland this season, holding the Blue Jays to three runs on six hits and no walks with six strikeouts through 7 1/3 innings earlier this month.
[Related: Cleveland Indians depth chart]
The Indians’ rotation remains a strength even in the face of Tomlin’s 2018 struggles, of course. Cleveland starters rank fourth in the Majors with a 3.42 ERA and have thrown the second-most innings of any starting staff in baseball (295), trailing only the Astros. Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer and Mike Clevinger form an enviable top four in the starting mix, but an injury would test the organization’s depth. Prospect Shane Bieber and journeyman Adam Wilk would likely be next in line for a look in the big league rotation, at least based on Triple-A performances.
tomlin is painful to watch pitch
He’s always been prone to the long ball, but this season he’s really outdone himself. It seemed like Mickey Callaway was able to get the best out of Tomlin, but Carl Willis has brought out the worst in him. I’d really hate to see Adam Wilk in that rotation – more so than even Tomlin.
i’m not impressed with willis at all
What you talkin bout Willis?
I screamed when they hired him. He stunk last time he was in Cleveland.
Exactly….but then again he had Cy Young winners in Cleveland and in Seattle and Boston.
Agreed. I couldn’t believe it. There has to be better options.
Ain’t that the truth.
Maybe for you but I wouldn’t say no to him pitching for me team
About time it’s eight nothing,……
In the beginning of the year, you were soo sure he’d rebound.
Humble question. What happened? He was better 2017.
For the record, not you, Steve! I was talking about Cle. Indians’ fans confidant of Tomlin’s rebound from his atrocious start this season.
I was looking at his advanced metrics the other day and he’s actually lucky to only be this bad — somehow, he’s even worse than his numbers say he is, so I don’t see any chance of him improving. He’s always kind of been a streaky pitcher, but there’s no reason to keep sending him out there anymore.
Part of me is surprised that Plutko is the one getting the call, but then again he’s also pitching well and he’s on the 40-man. I’m super excited to see Shane Bieber though, because he’s been incredible this year.
Maybe the Indians can work a deal with the Rangers for Bartolo Colon?
No thanks.
Colon would be a solid #5 and wouldn’t cost them much. Very realistic.
Once a cheat always a cheat, don’t want these types on my team.
Melky Cabrera is that type on he’s on the team.
Why trade for him when they have two guys(Plutko and Beiber) pitching well at Columbus
Plutko is basically a younger Tomlin. No real plus pitch. Good control and deception.
Interested to see what happens if/when Salazar and Merritt are ready to go. I’d like to see Salazar moved to the pen for a bit. But Merritt has nothing left to prove.
Except a big difference that Plutko can hit 94 MPH and Tomlin is lucky if he can hit 88MPH. Tomlin is out there throwing BP. Not saying the Plutko is a savior but he has a much higher chance to be an effective #5 starter than Tomlin right now.
Salazar in the BP move has to be made. He can’t hold up as a starter and they need a power arm out there.
Tomlin and McAllister in the same pen? Someone please send David Ortiz down to the CLE bullpen with a bat to work on the bullpen phone.
You win the internet today!
You gotta be f&$(inn kidding me….1st Baxter faced as a bullpen arm and he serves up a bomb in a 10-0 blowout….SMH