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Monday night, the Cleveland Indians clinched a spot in the American League Championship Series with their Game 3 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park (CLE 4, BOS 3). The Tribe swept the best-of-five series.

The Indians will face the Toronto Blue Jays in the best-of-seven ALCS starting this Friday at Progressive Field in Cleveland. If all goes according to plan, they'll get an important part of their pitching staff back for the series.

Salazar has been out since September 9 with a forearm issue. There's not enough time to get him stretched out to start, but getting him back as a reliever would be a huge help. The Indians can't expect Andrew Miller and Cody Allen to each throw 40-something pitches every game the rest of the postseason.

Injuries have been a problem for Salazar in the second half. He went 10-3 with a 2.22 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in his first 15 starts of the season, which earned him a spot on the AL All-Star Team. Shoulder, elbow, and forearm woes have hampered him since. Salazar went 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP in his final 10 starts.

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Danny Salazar could return as a reliever in the ALCS. USATSI

Assuming Salazar comes back firing his usual upper-90s fastball, he'd give manager Terry Francona a nice fourth bullpen piece alongside Miller, Allen, and Bryan Shaw. The Indians are currently using a three-man rotation, so any additional bullpen depth to help lighten the load on the starters will be a big plus.

Salazar, 26, has never pitched out of the bullpen as a big leaguer. He's done a few times in the minors, but for the most part, he's been a starter his entire career. Pitching in relief will be a new experience for him.

In addition to Salazar, the Indians are currently without Michael Brantley (shoulder) and Carlos Carrasco (hand). They're both done for the year.