Acta: Huff needs to throw quality strikes with fastball

CLEVELAND: David Huff is back in Columbus and for the same reason he was demoted earlier in the season.

""He needs to command his fastball,'' manager Manny Acta said this afternoon. ""I've said it over and over. We need him to be good for us to move forward. He proved in the past that he has the stuff to be successful up here.''

But not lately. Huff was recalled from Triple-A on Aug. 3 and made two starts, giving up eight runs in 9 2/3 innings, losing both games. Overall, he is 2-11 with a 6.21 ERA.

Huff's numbers looked a lot better during his stay in Columbus, where he posted a 6-0 record and 3.80 ERA in seven starts.

""Stats are not going to tell the whole story,'' Acta said. ""He already was down there and did that (succeed). There's a lot of difference in the minor leagues, and not just the meal money. Some things work down there and don't work up here.''

Right-handed reliever Jess Todd was called up from Triple-A to take Huff's place on the roster. He probably won't stay past Saturday, when Mitch Talbot will be activated from the disabled list to start against the Mariners. On the other hand, Todd's demotion is not assured.

""You never know in this game,'' Acta said. ""Sometimes when you're in, you're out and when you're out, you're in. For now, he's here until Mitch throws. But things can change.''