KANSAS CITY, Mo -- The Indians promoted right-handers Jefry Rodriguez and Cody Anderson from Class AAA Columbus and optioned right-hander Jon Edwards and outfielder Jordan Luplow to Columbus before Saturday night’s game against the Royals.

Rodriguez will start Saturday’s game in place of injured Mike Clevinger.

The Indians need an extra reliever after manager Terry Francona used six relievers in Friday’s 8-1 loss to the Royals. Starter Carlos Carrasco lasted just two-thirds of an inning, causing Francona to empty the bullpen. Anderson’s promotion gives Francona an eight-man bullpen including Brad Hand, Dan Otero, Adam Cimber, Nick Wittgren, Neil Ramirez, Oliver Perez and Tyler Olson.

The Tribe will make another move on Sunday when it purchases the contract of outfielder Carlos Gonzalez from Columbus. The Indians will have to clear a spot on the 25-man and 40-man roster to add Gonzalez, who signed a minor league deal on March 19 and has been playing his way back into game shape. Rodriguez, promoted for Saturday’s spot start, could serve as the 25-man move if he’s optioned to Columbus on Sunday.

Edwards was one of the six relievers who pitched Friday night. He goes to Columbus with a 2-0 record and 1.80 ERA in six appearances after making the opening day roster. Edwards struck out three and walked five in five innings.

“He looked a little tentative,” said manager Terry Francona. "Last year when we got him here, he had gotten on his roll in Triple-A. And he just kept going.

“We told him Friday night, ‘Hey, go get on your roll and we’ll get you back here.' I think he understood that this will be good for him in the long run."

Anderson underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in March of 2017. It has taken him over two years to get back to the big leagues.

He made one appearance for Columbus this year, pitching three scoreless innings and striking out four in a start.

“I found out at 11:56 p.m. Friday night, just before midnight,” said Anderson. “I just tried not to focus on it (getting back to the big leagues). I just tried to focus on the things I needed to do to eventually get back here. It came sooner than I thought.”

Anderson said more than anything he wants to help the Indians win a game.

“I’ve spent a lot of time sitting and watching,” he said. “There are rush of emotions that I’m pretty sure will hit me eventually. Right now I just want to get the job done.”

Near the end of spring training, the Indians had Anderson made a series of three-inning appearances in the minors just to see how he’d bounce back after rehabbing for so long. In his only appearance for the Clippers he pitched three scoreless innings last Sunday.

“They wanted to see how I’d bounce back,” said Anderson. “I’d throw three innings, throw a bullpen, and then throw three innings. Each time out it’s been a little better. It’s trending in the right direction.”

Gonzalez, 33, hit .348 (8-for-23) with one homer and three RBI in six games at Columbus.

“It’s nice to have good numbers no matter where you go,” said Gonzalez. "Spring training, real games, exhibition games -- you always want to do well. I’m glad everything went well.

“I was more concerned about being on my feet for nine innings. A couple of times I got to play in some extra inning games. I played left and right field, two positions I’ve played in the past. I just felt like everything was where I wanted it to be. I’m excited to get things going here in the big leagues."

Luplow made the Tribe’s opening day roster, but did not get a lot of playing time. He batted .200 (3-for-15) in seven games. He struck out eight times and walked twice.

The Indians acquired Luplow and infielder Max Moroff from Pittsburgh in a five-player deal for Erik Gonzalez and two minor league pitchers on Nov. 14.

“It was hard,” said Francona, when asked about demoting Luplow. “Sometimes someone is a casualty of a game like Friday night’s. I told him that. I do think it will be good for him to get at-bats because he’s young and needs to play. But sometimes there are casualties when a starter goes less than an inning. It’s just the way the game is and sometimes it’s unfair.”

The Indians lost Friday’s game, 8-1, to the Royals. Starter Carlos Carrasco was gone after two-thirds of an inning and Francona needed six relievers to finish the game.

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