HOUSTON -- Adam Plutko will start Wednesday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, but it may not be a spot start.

On Saturday there was some confusion when manager Terry Francona said Plutko would start in place of Josh Tomlin on Wednesday. It was reported that Tomlin would then start Thursday against the Astros.

But that is not the case. Tomlin is in the bullpen and Plutko would appear to be the Tribe's fifth starter for the time being.

Plutko is 4-3 with a 2.25 ERA in seven starts at Class AAA Columbus. He's 1-0 with the Indians, beating Toronto in a spot start on May 3.

Tomlin has struggled, going 0-4 with a 7.84 ERA in seven games, including six starts.

So this week the rotation will be Trevor Bauer on Tuesday followed by Plutko on Wednesday. The Indians return home for a four-game series against the Astros with Mike Clevinger starting Thursday, Corey Kluber on Friday, Carlos Carrasco on Saturday and Bauer on Sunday.

Bauer, right now, is in line to face Houston's Gerrit Cole. As much as Francona wants to put the spin rate-pine tar debate that Bauer started earlier this month to bed, it keeps on going.

INDIANS

SS Francisco Lindor.

LF Michael Brantley.

3B Jose Ramirez.

DH Edwin Encarnacion.

1B Yonder Alonso.

RF Melky Cabrera.

2B Jason Kipnis.

C Yan Gomes.

CF Greg Allen.

RHP Carlos Carrasco, 5-2, 3.66.

ASTROS

CF George Springer.

3B Alex Bregman.

2B Jose Altuve.

RF Josh Reddick.

DH Yuli Gurriel.

1B Marwin Gonzalez.

C Brian McCann.

LF Tony Kemp.

RHP Lance McCullers, 5-2, 3.63.

UMPIRES

H Alan Porter.

1B Jeremie Rehak.

2B Bill Miller, crew chief.

3B Todd Tichenor.