Designated RHP Jason Johnson for Assignment; Traded him and Cash to the Boston Red Sox for a PTBNL or Cash
Jason is going to the right team; Boston has one of the best defensive infields in the AL. The Hardball Times has a plus/minus rating for ground balls and fly balls; the Red Sox rate a +11 on grounders, behind only Seattle (+18) and Detroit (+52). The Indians rate -24 on grounders; only Tampa Bay is worse (-39).
In other words, Johnson might suddenly become that mediocre pitcher the Indians thought they were getting last winter.
Purchased the Contract of UTIL Joe Inglett; Recalled him to Cleveland
Joe Inglett was an 8th Round Pick in 2000 out of the University of Nevada (Kevin Kouzmanoff is also from that program). He's a contact hitter, only striking out 244 times in 1915 career at-bats (2000-2005), and is versatile enough to warrant a bench job. He hits left-handed, which dove-tails with the current infield.
Inglett's up here because the Indians don't need another pitcher until Sunday, when Jeremy Sowers is scheduled to start his first major-league game.
Optioned RHP Jeremy Guthrie to Buffalo
Guthrie only pitched once in his nine-day stint with Cleveland, and will return to the rotation in Buffalo. With Sowers already in the big-league rotation and Fausto Carmona pitching relief, Guthrie becomes the team's sixth starter.
Recalled RHP Edward Mujica to Cleveland
Until 2005, Mujica was an unspectacular starting pitcher in the organization; he posted a 4.65 ERA with Lake County in 2004, striking out 89 in 124 innings. The next season, the Indians made him a reliever, and his strikeout rates spiked. Now, thanks to success in Akron and Buffalo and a need for bullpen help, Mujica is in the majors at age 22.