Prior to Wednesday’s game with the Colorado Rockies, the Cleveland Indians announced that left-handed reliever Kyle Crockett had been recalled from Triple-A Columbus.

In a corresponding roster move, starting pitcher Mike Clevinger has been optioned to Columbus.

The transaction will give the Indians an extra arm in their bullpen for a stretch as with Thursday’s and this coming Monday’s off days, the Indians will not need a fifth starter in their rotation until Saturday, June 17. Clevinger can now make a start at the Triple-A level to keep himself stretched out and remained lined up to pitch that game in Minnesota against the Twins.

The 25-year-old Crockett will join the Cleveland roster for the first time in 2017. He has worked in 103 games over each of the last three seasons with the Indians, putting together a 4-1 record with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 63 2/3 innings as a matchup lefty.

Crockett has pitched well in relief for the Clippers this season. In 21 appearances, he has posted a 1-0 record with a 1.85 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. He has limited opposing hitters to a .190 average this season and has cut back on his walk rate, which has hurt him in the past during the Major League portion of his career. He has averaged more than an inning of work per outing in Columbus and has allowed earned runs in just four games. He is averaging 10.36 strikeouts and 2.96 walks per nine innings this season and has not surrendered a home run.

He has worked almost evenly against left- and right-handed hitters. In 12 1/3 innings of work against right-handers, he has allowed ten hits (.227 average) with four walks, three runs allowed (2.19 ERA), and 16 strikeouts. Against left-handed hitters over 12 innings of work, he has surrendered just four hits (.150 average) with four walks, three hit batters, two runs allowed (1.50 ERA), and 12 strikeouts.

He will give the Indians three southpaws in their bullpen, joining Boone Logan and Andrew Miller.

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