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The news
Yan Gomes has been placed on the 15-day DL with what team officials are calling a knee sprain. We're not out of the woods yet, as Gomes still awaits an MRI later today, The initial news appears less severe than many feared it could have been, so the hope is that it remains a sprain and nothing more.
Gomes left the game last night when a play at the plate saw Rajai Davis slide into Gomes' leg as Gomes was tagging the plate for the force out. While he is on the DL, Roberto Perez will be the starting catcher, and Carlos Santana will fill the backup role. Perez showed a lot of promise last year in backing up Gomes, so if there's a blessing in disguise here, it's that we get to see more of what Perez can do. The team certainly thinks highly of him:
Sandy Alomar Jr. on Roberto Perez: "He's a backup because we have Gomes. He'd be a starter for other teams."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 12, 2015
Kluber raved about Perez's defense, handling of pitchers. Said Tribe is in good hands until Gomes returns.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 12, 2015
Roster moves
A handful of roster moves were made in association with Gomes being placed on the DL. Reliever Kyle Crockett was optioned down to AAA Columbus, and the Tribe has recalled reliever Austin Adams and purchased the contract of Shaun Marcum. Adams and Marcum will help relieve a fatigued and beleaguered Tribe pen for now. The Indians made room on the 40-man roster by releasing right Charles Brewer.
UPDATE
Gomes will apparently miss 6-8 weeks. Not good news for the Indians.
We have a Gomes update: Moderate MCL sprain confirmed by MRI exam. Expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) April 12, 2015