Zach McAllister called up to start in Monday Doubleheader

The Cleveland Indians will use a new rule to call up right-handed starting pitching Zach McAllister so that he can start one of the Tribe's games during Monday's Day/Night doubleheader. The new rule allows a team to carry 26 players for the entire length of any twinbill. The player can be called up prior to the game, but must be returned to the minors directly after.

McAllister was one of several pitchers fighting for the fifth starter slot this spring, along with eventual winner, Josh Tomlin. Ironically enough, Tomlin will be starting the other game on Monday. It's believed that McAllister will start in game one, at 1:05, while Tomlin will start the late game, at 7:05.

While McAllister struggled during the spring, and failed to earn the final spot in the Tribe's rotation, he has rebounded nicely in the first month of the Columbus Clippers season. The righty has made six starts for the Indians' top farm club, going 3-1, with a 2.83 ERA. He's only had one bad start, but has been excellent over his last three, going 3-0 in 17 innings, giving up only ten hits, three earned runs and five walks, while striking out 17 batters.

McAllister struggled in four starts with the Indians last year, which marked his first major league appearances of his career.

Jim is currently the co-site editor, the ATF/Carolina Mudcats/Indians/General Site Columnist, and the co-host of IPI's weekly online radio show, Smoke Signals. You can follow Jim on Twitter @Jim_IPI, or contact him via e-mail at jpete@indiansprospectinsider.com.