Logan Allen to be optioned to Triple-A

Cleveland wasted no time making a move after Logan Allen allowed six earned runs in 1.1 innings this afternoon, announcing that the 23-year-old will be optioned to Triple-A on Friday.

There doesn’t appear to be anything wrong mechanically with Allen — his velocity hasn’t dipped, his release point has stayed consistent — but his command has left him over his last three starts. Allen was awarded the fifth starter position after a hot spring training but hasn’t lived up to the great March he had in Goodyear, Arizona.

The lefty allowed 10 earned runs in 14.1 innings pitched entering his Wednesday start against the Twins. He completely imploded against a frustrated Twins offense that was on the verge of being swept. In total, eight of his pitches found their way in play, and half of those were belted over 105 mph. Three were home runs. It wasn’t pretty.

Presumably, Allen will stay stretched out as a starter, though the Triple-A Columbus Clippers season doesn’t start until May 4.

Cleveland has not announced who the new fifth starter will be, but they already have options in the bullpen with Sam Hentges (who threw over 50 pitches in relief today), and sinker-slider righty Cal Quantrill. They also have Scott Moss, Eli Morgan, Jean Carlos Mejia, and Scott Vargas on the 40-man roster as potential fifth starters.

Cleveland still has some time to decide but will need a fifth starter by May 4 when they face the Royals in Kansas City.