CLEVELAND -- The Indians didn't send C.C. Sabathia to Australia to pitch out of the bullpen, so the young left-hander was recalled from the Sydney Games on Tuesday and could start against Boston next week.

Sabathia, one of the few top prospects on the Olympic team, pitched in one exhibition game for the U.S. team, working five innings in a win over Australian last Saturday. The 20-year-old struck out five in a no-decision as the Americans won 5-3.

But because the Olympic team is only going to use three starters, Sabathia would have pitched in relief in the Sydney Games. Among the conditions the Indians had insisted upon in letting Sabathia play for the U.S. team was that he only start, and that he was on a pitch count.

Cleveland assistant general manager Mark Shapiro said with Sabathia returning, there was a chance he could make a start when the Indians play back-to-back doubleheaders next week in Boston.

"Four or five guys are being considered, and he's one of the guys," Shapiro said.

Shapiro said Sabathia wasn't upset when told he wouldn't be pitching in the Olympics.

"I expected him to be disappointed," Shapiro said. "But he didn't seem that way at all."

The Indians had considered bringing up Sabathia, their No. 1 pick in the 1998 amateur draft, for the playoff stretch drive. But instead of subjecting the youngster to that kind of pressure, the club decided Sabathia would be better off pitching for his country and would benefit from the experience of traveling abroad.

Sabathia, whose fastball has been clocked at 100 mph, went 3-7 with a 3.59 ERA in 17 starts for Double-A Akron this season.