Kyle

Denney

The shot was fired into the side of one of the Indians’ two buses while it was on an interstate ramp. After grazing Ryan Ludwick, the bullet lodged in Denney’s calf before being removed by Indians trainers. The right-hander will spend the night in the hospital but should be released Thursday. The rest of the Indians arrived safely at the Kansas City airport and boarded a plane bound for Minneapolis for Friday’s game against the Twins.

''He will probably make his major-league debut this year,’' the GM said. ''`He could be the next guy. We need him.’' Denney is 6-1 with a 3.59 ERA and 60/19 K/BB in 62 2/3 innings for Triple-A Buffalo.

Denney, who is 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA for Buffalo, is believed to be next in line for a spot in the Cleveland rotation. He suffered the injury Saturday in Columbus trying to field a ball behind the mound.

Both pitched Monday night and are on schedule to start this weekend. Denney is 7-2 with a 4.04 ERA at Class AAA Buffalo, while Guthrie is 6-5 with a 3.99 ERA at Class AA Akron.

Denney isn’t this bad, but he has nothing more than No. 5-starter upside. The Indians might not give him another start if Kazuhito Tadano is ready to return next week.

Denney will get at least one more start. The Indians haven’t committed to sticking with him for the rest of the season.

Denney will be replacing Jason Davis. With Kazuhito Tadano perhaps done, Denney could remain the Indians’ fifth starter for the rest of the season.

He rebounded from a terrible debut performance on Tuesday against the Tigers in which he gave up eight runs in just 3 1/3 innings. Denney struck out six and walked just one today as he lowered his ERA from 21.60 to 9.72. He probably earned another start with today’s effort.

Cliff Bartosh relieved him and was credited with his first major league victory. Denney finishes up with a 9.56 ERA in his four starts. There’s a good chance that he’ll be dropped from the 40-man roster after the season.

Denney will make his major league debut tonight against the Tigers.