Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins: Danny Salazar is back

Cleveland Indians @ Minnesota Twins

Saturday April 18, 2015, 2:10 ET, Target Field

TV: STO, MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM

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With fans still reeling from the team's disastrous, largely self-inflicted loss last night, the enigma that is Danny Salazar makes his seasonal debut for the Tribe his afternoon. After some struggles early on in 2014, Salazar appeared to be firmly on the right track in September... before promptly running into some offseason controversy and then losing his spot in the rotation after a series of poor Spring Training performances.

And now, after just one (albeit outstanding) game in Columbus, where his line was 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO, Salazar has earned an instant recall as a result of McAllister's recent struggles. Which Salazar will show up? The one who gave up 14 hits and five walks in just 11 ST innings? Or the one who can sometimes be absolutely lethal to hitters? I doubt whether even he knows...

The Twins put up RHP Phil Hughes, who enjoyed an incredible rebound last season that culminated in a new five-year, $58MM contract. In 2014 Hughes exhibited truly elite control (0.7 BB/9) on his way to a 5.7 fWAR year, while going seven innings in both of his starts against the Tribe. However, he has struggled in his two 2015 outings to date, conceding 16 hits (including three homers) and seven earned runs in just 12 IP. Ten of those 16 hits have come in the first two innings, so the Tribe needs to jump on him early — if Hughes can establish himself without incurring any damage, then the Tribe's hitters could be in for a long, miserable night.

Michael Brantley returns to LF, after being used as DH yesterday, with David Murphy sliding over to RF and Brandon Moss as the DH.

Tonight's minor league action is up as follows:

6:05 pm ET: Toledo (6-3) @ Columbus (4-5) in which Shaun Marcum makes his Clippers debut in their home opener

6:00pm ET Akron (3-5) @ Altoona (5-3) where Mike Clevinger gets the start for the RubberDucks

6:30 pm ET: Potomac (5-4) @ Lynchburg (2-7) with Luis Lugo on the mound

7:05 pm ET: Lake County (4-5) @ Bowling Green (3-6) as the Captains give another start to Jordan Milbrath

The four farm teams are all struggling offensively at the moment, although Bradley Zimmer hit his third homer of the season last night. Happily, reinforcements could soon be on the way in the form of Zach Walters (AAA, at least initially, one would assume) and Tyler Naquin (AA), both of whom participated in an extended spring training game yesterday.

For daily Tribe MiLB news, box scores, game analysis and chat, check out the comments section to the minor league rosters article.