LHP Ryan Merritt, who hadn't appeared in a game since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on May 23, finally made his major league debut Monday, and it was worth the wait. Merritt pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings on one hit with two strikeouts and no walks. "Good for him," said Manager Terry Francona. "He waited patiently, and did really well. He held his nerves in check and threw strikes."

LHP Ryan Merritt was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Monday to work out of the bullpen for the Indians. Merritt will take the roster spot of RHP Joba Chamberlain, who was placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a left intercostal strain. Merritt, 24, is 3-4 with a 2.94 ERA in eight starts for the Clippers this season. He posted a 2.48 ERA in four May starts, which included a complete-game shutout May 9 against Lehigh Valley. Merritt gave Cleveland a full assortment of relievers for a doubleheader Monday to start a four-game series at the Chicago White Sox. He'll be used mainly as a long reliever. "If there's a shorter outing, we can let the kid pitch," manager Terry Francona said. "He's been pitching very well. He's thrown the ball pretty well."

LHP Ryan Merritt was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take Joba Chamberlain's spot on the roster.Chamberlain was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 22. Chamberlain has made 14 relief appearances this season and has a 1.93 ERA. This is the 24-year-old Merritt's first trip to the majors. He was 3-4 with a 2.94 ERA in eight starts in Columbus.

Merritt was optioned to Double-A on Tuesday, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

The Indians protected Merritt by adding him to their 40-man roster this offseason, but as a starting pitcher who struggles to miss bats in the lower levels of the minor leagues, there is not a ton of upside with Merritt. He could be a back-end starter somewhere in 2016 or 2017.