The Indians have bolstered their bullpen by recalling Joe Smith from Class AAA Columbus. They will address the hole in their rotation later this week.
View full sizeJoe Smith compiled a 7.71 ERA in 9 appearances during his first stint with the Indians this season.Updated: 12:35 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Indians have recalled right-hander Joe Smith to take David Huff's spot on the roster in preparation for the opening of tonight's three-game series against the Phillies.
They will have to make another move later in the week to fill Huff's spot in the rotation Friday when they open a three-game series against Cincinnati.
Smith, who opened the season with the Indians, is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA and two saves in three save situations in 20 appearances at Class AAA Columbus. He was sent down April 30.
The side-arming Smith went 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in seven appearances for the Indians. He struck out five, walked six and allowed six runs on seven hits in seven innings.
At Columbus he allowed one earned run over his last 12 appearances. Overall he has 19 strikeouts and 10 walks in 23 innings.
Left-hander Aaron Laffey and right-hander Carlos Carrasco are the main options to replace Huff in the rotation. Laffey is believed to be the favorite.
Laffey came to spring training competing for a spot in the starting rotation, but in late March agreed to move to the bullpen.
He made 20 relief appearances for the Tribe, going 0-1 with a 5.61 ERA, before getting optioned to Columbus on May 30. He was sent to Columbus to increase his arm strength so he could rejoin the Indians as a starter.
Laffey made four starts in Columbus, but never reached six innings in any of them. He was 0-1 with a 3.98 ERA in 20 1/3 innings. He struck out nine, walked 15 and allowed 21 hits in 20 1/3 innings. The opposition hit .276 against and he had a 1.17 WHIP.
Carrasco, acquired from the Phillies in last year's Cliff Lee deal, is 5-3, with a 4.22 ERA in 12 starts at Columbus.