Plutko (1-1) allowed one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out two across four innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Plutko made a spot start in the place of Mike Clevinger (not injury related) and threw four effective innings. He allowed his only run in the second frame, when he surrendered two singles and a walk to three consecutive batters. Whether Plutko's next appearance comes out of the bullpen or as a starter will depend on when Clevinger and Zach Plesac (not injury related) are able to rejoin the team.

Plutko will start Tuesday against the Cubs in place of Mike Clevinger (not injury related), Nick Camino of WKYC Channel 3 Cleveland reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clevinger has been told to quarantine after violating team protocols during Cleveland's recent road trip to Chicago. Plutko earned the win in his first start of the season back on July 28, completing six innings against the White Sox on just 86 pitches. It's uncertain whether he will be available for a similar pitch count Tuesday.

Plutko (1-0) allowed two earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four across six innings to earn the win in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Plutko was needed as a spot starter for Cleveland and delivered an impressive outing, throwing 86 pitches during the effort. The two earned runs were the result of solo home runs by James McCann and Jose Abreu, but Plutko did not allow any other extra-base hits. Assuming no other scheduling quirks pop up, Plutko is likely to serve as a bulk-inning reliever out of the bullpen moving forward.

Plutko will start the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Plutko was set to open the season in the bullpen, but he'll already be needed for a spot start in just the fifth game of the season. With a 5.08 ERA and a 17.5 percent strikeout rate over 189.2 career big-league innings, he's unlikely to be a particularly appealing option Tuesday.

Plutko will start the season in the bullpen, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was talk in the spring of Plutko taking on a long-relief role for Cleveland since he's out of minor-league options, and Manager Terry Francona confirmed the move Tuesday. With all five starters healthy for Cleveland, the right-hander's bullpen role will allow him to remain with the team, and he should be one of the top options to fill in as a starter if needed. Plutko recorded a 4.86 ERA and 78:26 K:BB over 109.1 innings across 21 appearances (20 starts) in the majors last year.

Plutko may open the year in a long-relief role, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He is out of minor-league options, and while it seemed he could open the year in the rotation before shifting to the bullpen, Mike Clevinger (knee) and Carlos Carrasco (elbow) project to be healthy when the season gets underway. If the Indians are really intent on giving Plutko a shot as a starter, that would likely mean Zach Plesac, who had a great spring, opens the year in the rotation at Triple-A. Plutko had a 3.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB in seven innings this spring.

Plutko is the leading candidate to serve as the Indians' fifth starter to begin the season in the event one of Mike Clevinger (knee) or Carlos Carrasco (elbow) aren't ready to pitch in games, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heading into Thursday, both Clevinger and Carrasco appeared likely to begin the season on the injured list, but it's conceivable that neither player misses a start after Major League Baseball announced that Opening Day would be pushed back at least two weeks from the original March 26 date. If Clevinger, Carrasco, Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac open the season as the Tribe's five starters, Plutko could still have a spot on the 26-man roster waiting for him as a swingman. Plutko's poor peripherals make him little more than an AL-only or deeper mixed league option if injuries open up a clear path to regular starts at some point.

Plutko allowed eight runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts across 1.1 innings while taking a loss against the Nationals on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The second inning was Plutko's worst of the season, as he gave up eight baserunners and only recorded one out. He left with the bases loaded, and all three runners eventually scored on a grand slam. Obviously, this really elevated his season ERA, which is a real shame because he had been pitching well coming into Saturday. Prior to this appearance, Plutko had a 2.86 ERA in his previous four starts. He ends the season 7-5 with a 4.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 109.1 innings.

Plutko did not factor in the decision against Philadelphia on Sunday, tossing 4.1 innings and giving up one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

Plutko exited Sunday's contest after needing 78 pitches to make it through 4.1 innings as he constantly fell behind hitters, issuing first-pitch strikes to only six of the 19 batters he faced. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old has now allowed only seven runs over his last four starts, though he has only one victory to show for it. Plutko has enjoyed mild success as Cleveland's fifth starter this season, posting a 7-4 record, 4.25 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 75:24 K:BB over 108 innings. He'll wrap up his regular season on the road against Washington on Saturday.

Plutko (7-4) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six across six innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

The only major damage against Plutko came in the fifth inning when he surrendered a leadoff home run to Dawel Lugo. He was otherwise effective, generating 13 of his 18 outs via either groundball or strikeout. Plutko has now allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of his last six starts, though he's worked fewer than five innings on two occasions and reached six innings on three occasions. For the season, he now owns a 4.34 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He's currently set to draw his next start Sunday against Philadelphia.