CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the Indians optioned Alex White to Class AAA Columbus late in spring training, they did so with the standard message given to all upper-echelon prospects.
"At the end the day, we tell every single guy when they go to the minors, 'Make sure when we need a guy, make it be you,'" said manager Manny Acta. "He worked himself into that spot."
White will make his major-league debut Saturday night when he starts against Detroit at Progressive Field. White will take Carlos Carrasco's spot in the starting rotation. Carrasco was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday. The move is retroactive to Monday.
"He's thrown the ball very well," said Acta. "We've gotten some good reports on him."
White was the Indians' No.1 pick in 2009 out of North Carolina. He's currently 1-0 with a 1.90 ERA (five earned runs in 23 2/3 innings) in four starts at Class AAA Columbus. He is not on the 40-man roster so a move will have to be made to add him before Saturday.
He was the 15th player taken overall in the first round in 2009. The Indians paid him a signing bonus of $2.25 million.
White has 28 strikeouts and five walks in 23 2/3 innings. He's allowed 19 hits and the opposition is hitting .211 against him. White's WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings) is 1.01.
This spring White went 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in three games.
"In spring training it's hard to judge people," said Acta. "You could see the poise and maturity level he had. His slider has improved in Triple A. His secondary pitches are still a work in progress. But he's pitching well."
Carrasco injured his right elbow in Sunday's start against the Twins. He lasted three innings before being removed.
The Indians added reliever Frank Herrmann from Columbus on Thursday to take Carrasco's place. White probably won't join the team until last Friday or early Saturday. Herrmann would likely be optioned to Columbus to make room.
White was the Indians' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season. He pitched at Class A Kinston and Class AA Akron.
One problem White had last year was that he was so competitive he wanted to use his best pitch, his sinking fastball, all the time to the detriment to his other pitches. White throws a fastball, slider and split.
"He's used all his pitches," said Acta, referring to this season. "We told the same thing to Drew Pomeranz [No.1 pick in 2010]. You can't go through a big-league lineup three or four times by just throwing a fastball.
"The competitive nature of these guys is that when they get their back against the wall, or need to get out of jam, they're going to throw their best pitch."
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