McAllister tossed four shutout innings in a Cactus League start Friday. He allowed one walk and struck out three. McAllister's in camp fighting for a rotation spot and Friday's start was certainly a step forward. The Indians have a pair of high upside arms in Danny Salazar and T.J. House in the mix as well so McAllister may need one of the young arms to stumble to avoid starting the season in a relief role.

McAllister allowed four runs on six hits over three innings Saturday. McAllister's second appearance of the spring was a rough one for the righty as he looks to emerge from a crowded pack in the battle for the fifth spot in the Cleveland rotation. He's out of options and figures to start the season in a relief role if he's unable to secure a rotation spot.

McAllister allowed a run over two innings while striking out three in his first start of the spring Tuesday. McAllister's roster spot is secure with Cleveland but he's in camp competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation along with Josh Tomlin, Danny Salazar, T.J. House and Bruce Chen with a backup plan of sliding into a relief role. Tuesday's effort was certainly a step in the right direction in his spring debut.

McAllister is expected to make the big league club out of spring training, but it's unclear whether that will be as a starter or out of the bullpen, Nick Camino of Newsradio WTAM 1100 reports.McAllister spent most of last season as a starter, but struggled in that role with the Indians (5.67 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with 60 strikeouts in 73 innings). He eventually moved to the bullpen, where he finished out the season with a much more respectable 2.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 14 strikeouts in 13 innings, upping his K/BB rate from 2.31 to 7.00.

McAllister earned the win in relief Wednesday, giving up just one hit over 2.1 scoreless frames against the Royals. Trevor Bauer failed to get through the fifth inning, but McAllister answered the bell and kept the Tribe's slim playoff hopes alive. In six appearances out of the bullpen, McAllister has fared well, posting a 12:1 K:UIBB and 1.27 WHIP. Given the development of some of the team's younger starters, McAllister's future may be in the bullpen if he remains in Cleveland.

McAllister threw two innings of scoreless relief against the Twins on Saturday, striking out five. His average fastball on Friday and Saturday out of the bullpen was clocked at 97 mph, as opposed to 93 mph earlier this year as a starter. The Indians may have stumbled upon McAllister's future role with the team. He could have a role as a late-inning shutdown reliever if he can maintain that fastball velocity upon multiple outings.

McAllister was a tough-luck loser in his spot start Monday, holding the Astros to two runs in six innings. McAllister allowed seven hits but fanned six in the outing. The righty has had a rough go of things this season, registering an unsightly 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15 Major League starts.

McAllister will pick up a spot start against the Astros on Monday, MLB.com reports. The Indians need a sixth starter thanks to a rainout and subsequent doubleheader and will give the ball to McAllister as a result. He's 3-6 with a 5.97 ERA in 16 games with the Indians.

McAllister was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. McAllister will take the spot of Josh Tomlin on the active roster, who was placed on the paternity list Sunday. He will likely contribute out of the bullpen in September, and should stay on the roster even when Tomlin comes back as they expand Monday.

Zach McAllister gave up six runs -- five earned -- in four innings Saturday in a loss to the Royals. McAllister had a perfect first frame but was shelled for five runs in the second. He's now 3-6 with a 5.65 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 13 starts this season at the major league level and is likely headed back to Triple-A.