Cleveland Indians call up Jerry Sands, send down Austin Adams

Only three games into the calendar, the Indians have made their first roster move of the season. Jerry Sands has been called up, and Austin Adams has been optioned to Triple-A to make room on the roster. (Josh Tomlin has also bene moved from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.)

Adams, a 28-year-old righty, spent a little time with the Indians last season, but didn't especially impress. He also had something of a rough spring training, so I was surprised when he was named to the team. Terry Francona loves to have a big bullpen though, so I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised. The 'pen was hardly needed in the season-opening series against Houston though (Adams did not appear in any of the three games), while Michael Brantley's sore back has created a desire for a little more depth on the bench, making Sands a logical choice.

Sands, a 27-year-old corner outfielder with some experience at first base, is a right-handed hitter, giving the team another option against lefty pitching. In 273 career plate appearances (with the Dodgers and Rays), Sands has a wRC+ of 97. He's got decent on-base skills and decent power, with defense that isn't going to make you forget Roberto Clemente, but shouldn't be a real problem either.

Odds are he's only up until Nick Swisher is ready (or Francona decides that no, he wants that eighth reliever after all), but he could take some of Ryan Raburn's playing time, and/or help fill in for Brantley, if Doc Smooth proves to need a few more days off before his back is fully recovered.