Rainout delays Tomlin’s return

NEW YORK — Josh Tomlin is going to have to wait a little longer before returning to the Indians’ rotation.

The Indians and Yankees will play a traditional doubleheader on Wednesday after Tuesday night’s game was postponed by rain.

Trevor Bauer, scheduled to start Tuesday, will start the first game at 1:05 p.m. with lefty Ryan Merritt starting the second game. Bauer will face lefty Jaime Garcia, while Merritt faces lefty Jordan Montgomery.

Tomlin, before Tuesday’s postponement, was going to face CC Sabathia on Wednesday afternoon. Then came the rain and the plans changed with Bauer starting Game 1 on Wednesday and Tomlin scheduled to start Game 2.

The Indians were going to activate Tomlin from the disabled list by putting right-hander Dan Otero on the paternity list.

Then they were going to add Merritt as their 26th man for the second game.

But the plans changed again because after Wednesday’s traditional doubleheader and Thursday’s off day, the Indians play a day-night doubleheader on Friday against Detroit at Comerica Park. That would have left them without a starter for Sunday’s game.

So the starters for Wednesday will be Bauer and Merritt, who will take Otero’s spot on the roster. Merritt was just sent down Friday, but because he’s replacing someone on the paternity list, he does not have to stay in the minors for 10 days.

Right-hander Shawn Armstrong will replace Merritt as the 26th man for the second game on Wednesday.

Tomlin is expected to start one of the games on Friday or Sunday at Comerica Park depending on how the bullpen is used Wednesday.

Tomlin has been on the disabled list since July 31 with a strained left hamstring. The team’s medical staff said he could miss six weeks with the injury, but he made it back before that.

“I’m looking forward to getting back out there and helping this team win,” Tomlin said.

Manager Terry Francona was asked if playing two doubleheaders in three days would strain the roster. “I’ll tell you when it’s over,” he said half-jokingly.

“We’re going to try to space the guys out. I’d rather not everybody play all four games. ... I’m glad we have the off day on Thursday. I think that will really help.”

Friday’s doubleheader falls on Sept. 1, the day teams can increase their roster sizes to 40 players.