Zach McAllister #34 of the Cleveland Indians poses during MLB photo day at the Goodyear Ballpark on February 19, 2013 in Goodyear, Arizona.
Photographer: (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
Copyright Getty Images
Posted: 03/10/2013
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Indians manager Terry Francona has picked Zach McAllister to be the club's No. 4 starter.
McAllister came to camp as the favorite, and the right-hander has not disappointed during workouts and exhibition outings. The 25-year-old, 6-8 in 22 starts for the Indians last season, will be in Cleveland's rotation behind Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Brett Myers. The Indians are still looking for a No. 5 starter, with Scott Kazmir, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Carlos Carrasco all in the mix.
David Huff, who had been competing for the fifth spot, will compete for a bullpen role, Francona said.
Francona said it's possible the Indians will open the season with 13 pitchers. They will play 13 straight games to start April without a day off.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Indians Headlines
Chris Perez gives up 5 runs, 3 homers in rehab stint in Akron.
Michael Brantley's sacrifice fly capped Cleveland's three-run eighth inning, rallying the Indians to a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.