Zach McAllister allowed three runs in five innings Thursday in a loss to the Red Sox.

Things could have been worse, but McAllister escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth with just one run scoring. He threw a total of 112 pitches, giving up six hits and three walks (one intentional) while registering a season-high seven strikeout. While McAllister took the loss, he remains a reliable option in AL-only formats. He lines up to face the White Sox next Tuesday.

Indians manager Terry Francona has told Zach McAllister that he will be in the team's rotation.

McAllister entered camp as a favorite for one of the final spots, and he officially locked one up after four shutout innings Saturday. The right-hander was up-and-down in his 22 starts last season but holds some appeal in AL-only formats.

Zach McAllister pitched four scoreless innings to get the win in the Indians' 9-2 victory over the Cubs Saturday.

McAllister earned the win on the strength of four innings of three-hit ball. The 25-year-old also struck out three batters while walking none. The righty started 22 games for the Indians last season and has an inside track on a spot in this year's rotation. After a shaky start to spring, Saturday was a step in the right direction for McAllister.

Zach McAllister was lit up for five runs on seven hits and a walk over two innings in Thursday's loss to the Rangers.

He struck out one. McAllister looked good in his first spring outing, but this one was obviously a clunker. The right-hander is a favorite to land one of the final two spots in the Indians' rotation, but he could very easily wind up back at Triple-A if he has a bad spring.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said Wednesday that Zach McAllister still has a leg up for one of the final two rotation spots.

Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Brett Myers are in place for the first three spots, leaving McAllister, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber and David Huff, Scott Kazmir and Daisuke Matsuzaka fighting it out for the final two. McAllister posted a 4.24 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 22 starts in 2012 and is only worth monitoring in AL-only fantasy leagues.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said Friday that Zach McAllister has a leg up in the battle for the team's No. 4 starter job.

Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Brett Myers are locked into the first three spots, and McAllister is likely to grab another one. That leaves Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber and David Huff as the main combatants for the final spot. McAllister posted a 4.24 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 22 starts in 2012.

Zach McAllister closed out his 2012 season with a solid effort Sunday, holding the Royals to three runs over 6 2/3 innings in the 15-3 win.

The righty gave up five hits, walked two and struck out two. McAllister faded in August and September after a strong July, but he finishes the year with a respectable 4.24 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. He'll compete for a rotation spot next spring.

Zach McAllister limited the White Sox to two runs on just four hits and two walks over six innings in Monday's loss.

He struck out seven. McAllister has been up and down of late, posting a 5.72 ERA since the beginning of August, but he's mixed in enough solid outings and has been good enough overall that he should pretty well be locked into a rotation spot next year. The righty will face the Royals this weekend.

Zach McAllister was hit hard in Wednesday's loss to the Twins, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks in just 4 1/3 innings.

McAllister struck out three and served up a two-run homer to Josh Willingham in falling to 5-8. The non-quality outing was his fourth in five starts. Now the owner of a 4.31 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 101/34 K/BB ratio through 113 frames, McAllister will get the White Sox in Chicago on Monday.

Zach McAllister struggled with his command in Saturday's loss to the Twins, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks over just three innings of work.

McAllister had extreme difficulty commanding the strike zone, and needed 87 pitches to battle through just three frames. He's struggled mightily over his last three outings, posting an 0-3 record and 10.22 ERA. It doesn't get any easier for McAllister, who draws the tough assignment of taking on the Rangers in Texas on Thursday.

Zach McAllister was impressive in Saturday's victory over the Red Sox, allowing just two runs on just three hits over eight strong innings of work.

McAllister struck out four without issuing a walk. The only blemish was a two-run double off the bat of Adrian Gonzalez in the fourth inning. McAllister has been one of the Indians' best starters this season, now 5-4 with a 3.46 ERA and 69/20 K/BB ratio over 78 innings. He's certainly worth a look in deeper mixed fantasy formats, especially for solid matchups like Friday's start against the Athletics in Oakland.

Zach McAllister got roughed up a bit in Wednesday's loss to the Royals, surrendering five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks in six innings of work.

McAllister struck out three in falling to 4-3. The non-quality outing was just his second in six starts going back to July 1. A pleasant surprise for the Indians in a season that's going downhill, McAllister will bring a 3.42 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 62/18 K/BB ratio into his Monday home start against the Twins.

Zach McAllister turned in a quality start in Saturday's loss to the Orioles, allowing three runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings.

He racked up six strikeouts while failing to issue a walk on the night. He cruised through the first six innings with a 1-0 lead until Jim Thome blasted a two-run homer in the seventh. Ryan Flaherty then added a solo shot of his own in the eighth inning, chasing McAllister from the game. He's done a very nice job in the Indians rotation, posting a 4-2 record, 3.21 ERA and 52/14 K/BB ratio over his first 56 innings. He's now a very intriguing mixed league option when he takes on the Tigers at home on Thursday.

Zach McAllister turned in a quality start in Tuesday night's win over the Angels, surrendering five runs (three earned) on eight hits over his six innings of work.

McAllister struck out five and didn't walk a batter. After allowing only two home runs through his first five starts, he surrendered two in the fifth inning of this one (to Mike Trout and Albert Pujols). Still, the righty has been very impressive since joining the Indians rotation, posting a 3-1 record, 3.93 ERA and 33/7 K/BB ratio through 36 2/3 innings. He's worth a look in deeper mixed fantasy leagues for Sunday's outing vs. the Rays.

Zach McAllister picked up the victory in his return to the Indians rotation on Thursday, limiting the Orioles to two runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.

He punched out seven in the game while walking only one. J.J. Hardy's two-run homer in the fifth inning was the only damaged allowed on the night. Through five starts for the Tribe this season, McAllister is now 2-1 with a respectable 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 28 K's in 30 innings. He makes for a decent gamble in deeper mixed leagues, as he's lined up for a pair of starts next week, the first of which coming at home against the Angels on Tuesday.

Indians recalled RHP Zach McAllister from Triple-A Columbus.

McAllister will start on Thursday night against the Orioles, taking over the rotation spot left vacant by Jeanmar Gomez. He should be ignored in most fantasy leagues.

Indians optioned RHP Zach McAllister to Triple-A Buffalo.

McAllister has fared well in his chances with the Tribe this season, holding a 3.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 22/6 K/BB ratio across 25 innings, but he's no longer needed with Josh Tomlin ready to return from the DL.

Indians recalled RHP Zach McAllister from Triple-A Columbus.

He'll start for the injured Josh Tomlin. The Indians have yet to announce a corresponding roster move, but it's possible Tomlin will be placed on the disabled list. McAllister recorded his first major league victory in his only other start this season, and makes for a viable streaming option in AL-only fantasy leagues.

Indians optioned RHP Zach McAllister to Triple-A Columbus.

As expected. McAllister pitched the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the White Sox and notched his first major league victory by allowing four runs over six innings. The Indians' roster is now back down to 25.

Zach McAllister beat the White Sox in the first game of Monday's doubleheader by allowing four runs -- two earned -- in six innings.

It was McAllister's 2012 debut and first major league victory after he went 0-1 with a 6.11 ERA in four starts for Cleveland last year. He'll now return to Triple-A and await a more extended opportunity with the Indians.