Indians manager Terry Francona expressed optimism Friday that Zach McAllister (finger) will be able to return to the rotation on Tuesday against the Mariners.

The Tribe would like McAllister to throw one more bullpen session before making a final decision. Before hitting the disabled list, McAllister posted a 3.43 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 45/22 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings in the first half of the season.

Zach McAllister (finger) allowed just two hits and two walks over six shutout innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Columbus Thursday.

It was the first rehab outing where McAllister was supposed to throw breaking balls, and evidently he didn't have any trouble with them. The Indians haven't said for sure, but the righty seems likely to rejoin the rotation next week after tonight's effort.

Zach McAllister (finger) is slated to throw four innings Saturday in his first minor league rehab start with Double-A Akron.

McAllister, out for a little over a month with a sprained right middle finger, is expected to require at least two rehab starts. Danny Salazar, who impressed in his major league debut Thursday, could be an option for another call-up if he needs extra time.

Zach McAllister (finger) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

McAllister will then make another start for Double-A Akron next week before being activated from the disabled list if all goes well. ""He has a chance to go four innings in his first outing,'' manager Terry Francona said. ""He won't throw any curveballs. But he can do that in his bullpens. In his second rehab game, he will throw curveballs.''

Zach McAllister (finger) threw 50 pitches over three innings Monday in a simulated game against Class A hitters.

McAllister didn't throw any breaking balls, but it was a big step in the right direction. The Indians figure to clear him for a rehab assignment as soon as he can throw his entire arsenal, but it's not clear when that might be. The 25-year-old has been sidelined for a month with a sprained right middle finger.

Zach McAllister (finger) threw curveballs with no issues during a flat-ground session Saturday.

It's the first time he's thrown the curve since he landed on the DL with a sprained right middle finger. McAllister also had a 60-pitch bullpen session Friday, but throwing his curveball was considered the bigger test. He'll throw a simulated game on Monday before likely being cleared for a rehab assignment.

Zach McAllister (finger) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday against Class A Lake County hitters.

McAllister threw all fastballs during a bullpen session Tuesday, but he was able to incorporate changeups and cutters in a 65-pitch session Friday. He's going to try to break off a few curveballs in a flat-ground session Saturday. The 25-year-old right-hander has been out for about a month with a sprained right finger, but appears on track to return around the All-Star break.

Zach McAllister (finger) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Tuesday with no issues.

He's not able to throw breaking balls yet, but it's obviously still a nice step forward for the right-hander. The Indians are hoping to get McAllister back in their rotation around the All-Star break.

Zach McAllister (finger) is nearing a bullpen session.

McAllister has been playing catch for over a week and hasn't had any issues with his sprained right middle finger. The Indians are hoping to get him back around the All-Star break.

Zach McAllister (finger) has played catch a few times this week.

It's not clear when McAllister will be able to return to the mound, and when he does he'll likely be limited to fastballs initially. The right-hander's middle finger strain is likely to sideline him until around the All-Star break.

Zach McAllister (finger) is expected to be sidelined anywhere from two to four weeks.

It sounds like it will probably be closer to four weeks, as Indians manager Terry Francona said the club will be "overly cautious" if they need to. "I think throwing his curveball aggravated it," said Francona. "Last year he was just flipping the curveball. Now he's been gripping it and ripping it and that seam [on the ball] has been digging into that finger. We've got to get that soreness out of there."

Indians placed RHP Zach McAllister on the disabled list, retroactive to June 3, with a right middle finger sprain.

Zach McAllister will have his next start pushed back due to a finger issue.

It doesn't seem to be a big concern, but the Indians will take advantage of an off day to get McAllister some extra rest. The big right-hander has struggled of late, posting a 6.14 ERA over his last three starts.

Zach McAllister was lit up for five runs -- four earned -- over just 4 1/3 frames in Sunday's loss to the Rays.

McAllister wasn't sharp from the get-go, as he allowed seven hits and walked four. After getting off to a terrific start, the righty has now struggled the last three times out, watching his ERA rise from 2.65 to 3.43. He might have a tough time bouncing back next weekend in Detroit.

Zach McAllister was knocked around for three runs on 10 hits and a walk over just 5 1/3 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Reds.

He also hit a batter. McAllister struck out six and was able to escape damage on a few occasions, but the 10 hits allowed were a season high. In fact, it's just the second time he's permitted more than six base knocks in a game. He'll take a still-impressive 3.08 ERA and 1.29 WHIP into this weekend's start against the Rays.

Zach McAllister permitted three runs on five hits and three walks over five frames in Thursday's 12-3 drubbing of the Red Sox.

McAllister was hardly sharp, but in a game where Cleveland had 12 runs before he was pulled, he didn't really have to be. The 25-year-old right-hander saw his streak of four straight starts allowing two runs or fewer snapped, but improved to 4-3 nonetheless. McAllister holds a 2.89 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 39/17 K/BB rate over nine starts.

Zach McAllister turned in another strong outing Saturday, allowing two runs over 7 1/3 innings in a no-decision.

McAllister held the Mariners off the board until Brendan Ryan took him deep in the top of the eighth. The 25-year-old right-hander only notched one strikeout, but was very efficient, allowing six hits and walking just one batter. Unfortunately, Chris Perez cost him a chance at the victory. McAllister has allowed two runs or fewer in four straight starts and now has a 2.65 ERA on the year. It might be time to take him seriously in mixed leagues.

Zach McAllister permitted three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits and three walks over six frames in Sunday's 4-3 extra innings win over the Tigers.

It wasn't McAllister's best effort, as he allowed a lot of baserunners, but he was able to limit the damage for the most part and kept his team close enough so that they could eventually come back to win. The big right-hander still hasn't surrendered more than three earned runs in a start this season. He'll get the Mariners next.

Zach McAllister's continued his strong start to the season Tuesday, spinning 7 2/3 scoreless frames in a 1-0 win over the Athletics.

McAllister yielded just five base hits (all singles), walked one and struck out four. The big right-hander was cruising all night, as the A's didn't reach second base against him a single time. He was removed only because his pitch count had escalated to 111. McAllister hasn't given up more than three runs in any start this season and now boasts a 2.63 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He'll pitch in Detroit on Sunday.

Zach McAllister allowed two runs in seven innings in a win over the Phillies on Tuesday.

McAllister allowed just two solo home runs on the evening. The Indians' pitching staff is mostly a wasteland, but the 25-year-old now owns a 3.30 ERA and 1.20 WHIP on the season. He's worth an add in deep mixed leagues. His next matchup, Sunday against the Twins, looks favorable as well.