GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians have optioned Danny Salazar to Triple-A Columbus.
Salazar had been in the running to win one of the two open spots in Cleveland’s starting rotation, but the right-hander has struggled this spring and the Indians sent him back to the minors.
With Salazar out of the running, left-hander T.J. House, Zach McAllister and Josh Tomlin are vying for the starting jobs.
Salazar got roughed up Thursday against Cincinnati, allowing six earned runs — two homers — and six hits in 3 1-3 innings. His fastball was high in the strike zone down the middle. In four spring outings, Salazar is 1-2 with an 8.18 ERA. He has allowed 14 hits and 10 runs in 11 innings.
Salazar bounced between Columbus and Cleveland last season. He went 6-8 with a 4.25 ERA in 20 starts. In 2013, he started the Indians’ wild-card game against Tampa Bay.