Justin Masterson

What role will Justin Masterson play for the Tribe down the stretch?

(Chris Carlson/Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have shuffled and reshuffled their rotation this season like an obsessive-compulsive poker dealer.

They currently have three starting pitchers on their active roster. No, this isn't the 1890s; hurlers are only tossing six or seven innings every five days.

Eventually -- maybe -- the Tribe will decide on a set of five pitchers to fill out the starting rotation. Lately, the team has gotten by with the bare minimum, choosing to cherrypick the roster based on need. In manager Terry Francona's mind, the bullpen can always use an extra arm.

For the last month, the Indians have worked with a four-man rotation when possible, burning the vacant roster spot on an additional reliever. They've needed it: Tribe starters rank third-worst in the American League with an average of 5.7 innings per outing. They rank fifth-worst with quality starts in only 45 percent of their outings.

Trevor Bauer will open the second half of the season for Cleveland on Friday in the series opener at Comerica Park. Corey Kluber will start one game of Saturday's twin bill with the Tigers. Zach McAllister, optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday, could start the other as the team's designated 26th man. Otherwise, McAllister can't rejoin the big league club until July 25, via the league's 10-day rule, unless he is replacing an injured player on the roster.

Josh Tomlin would be a safe bet to start on Sunday. T.J. House, who pitched for Class A Mahoning Valley on Wednesday, is expected to be recalled to start on Monday. Tuesday's starter has yet to be identified. Could Danny Salazar, who has logged a 2.84 ERA with 19 hits allowed, 12 walks and 34 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings over his last four outings for Triple-A Columbus, get the call?

Justin Masterson, sidelined with knee soreness, cannot be activated from the disabled list until Wednesday. General manager Chris Antonetti suggested the right-hander could use a minor league rehab start before he returns to big league action.

The rotation remains an entity that could determine Cleveland's fate as the summer heats up. If the front office opts to keep the group as is, which five starters will give the club the best chance at contending?

Here is a look at what each starting pitcher accomplished during the season's first half. In the comments section below, identify which five starting pitchers you would choose to make up the rotation over the course of the final 10 weeks of the season.

Corey Kluber:

20 starts, 131 2/3 innings, 3.01 ERA, 142 strikeouts, 1.200 WHIP, .251 batting average against, 10 homers allowed

Note: Kluber has blossomed into the anchor of the rotation. He just needs some help.

Trevor Bauer:

12 starts, 72 2/3 innings, 3.84 ERA, 70 strikeouts, 1.417 WHIP, .271 batting average against, nine homers allowed

Note: Bauer has submitted his two strongest starts his last two times out. Is he growing up on the spot?

Josh Tomlin:

13 outings (12 starts), 77 innings, 4.21 ERA, 69 strikeouts, 1.156 WHIP, .260 batting average against, 13 homers allowed

Note: Tomlin's strikeout rate, walk rate and, subsequently, strikeout-to-walk ratio are far and away the best of his career. Now he just needs to figure out how to keep the ball in the park when the opposition makes contact.

Justin Masterson:

19 starts, 98 innings, 5.51 ERA, 93 strikeouts, 1.653 WHIP, .279 batting average against, six homers allowed

Note: Masterson has limited right-handed hitters to a .214 average and .653 OPS. On the other hand, lefties are batting .330 with a .935 OPS off of him. Whether the knee soreness was a valid excuse, the Indians need to determine quickly if he can revert to his 2013 form. There isn't much time to waste.

T.J. House:

Nine outings (eight starts), 45 innings, 4.40 ERA, 30 strikeouts, 1.533 WHIP, .312 batting average against, seven homers allowed

Note: House isn't going to miss many bats; he has served up 58 hits in 45 innings. He has only issued 11 free passes, though. Lefties have compiled a .328/.391/.517 slash line against him, even though he's a left-handed pitcher.

Zach McAllister:

11 starts, 54 1/3 innings, 5.63 ERA, 45 strikeouts, 1.436 WHIP, .266 batting average against, six homers allowed

Note: McAllister has bounced between Triple-A and the big league club and he hasn't seemed thrilled about it. He offered a promising performance against Chicago last week.

Danny Salazar:

Eight starts, 40 2/3 innings, 5.53 ERA, 47 strikeouts, 1.623 WHIP, .301 batting average against, eight homers allowed

Note: Salazar's stunted development this season has thrown a wrench into the team's plans. Righties have posted a .341/.382/.615 slash line against him. Will he be better after a lengthy stint at Triple-A?