Week in Transactions: Lonnie Chisenhall returns, Michael Brantley set to return, Carlos Carrasco set to go on the Disabled List

Tribe Transactions

April 18

(AAA) Placed LHP Nick Maronde on the Disabled List (strained left shoulder)

(AAA) Placed OF Michael Choice on the Disabled List

OF Jordan Smith promoted from Akron (AA) to Columbus (AAA)

This is Smith's first shot at AAA; he spent the entire 2015 season with Akron, hitting .257/.333/.360.

(AA) RHP Jordan Cooper activated from the Disabled List

April 20

Reinstated OF Lonnie Chisenhall from the 15-day Disabled List; Optioned OF Collin Cowgill to Columbus (AAA)

April 21

Sent OF Michael Brantley to Columbus (AAA) on rehab assignment

Brantley played back-to-back games this weekend, the final test of his rehab stint. Barring something completely unexpected, he should be activated today.

(AAA) Placed RHP Felipe Paulino on the Disabled List (right hamstring)

RHP Jordan Cooper promoted from Akron (AA) to Columbus (AAA)

Selected MLB Transactions

April 18

Detroit Tigers activated LHP Blaine Hardy from the Disabled List; designated RHP Logan Kensing for assignment

Hardy, who was Detroit primary left-handed reliever a year ago, missed the first couple weeks of the season with a shoulder injury. He pitched in a couple of low-leverage situations this past week, including in Saturday's 10-1 loss to the Indians.

April 19

Kansas City Royals activated OF Jarrod Dyson from the 15-day Disabled List; optioned OF Reymond Fuentesto Omaha (AAA)

Dyson hit the ground running, collecting 5 hits and 2 stolen bases in his first 5 games back for the Royals.

Miami Marlins placed RHP Edwin Jackson on the 15-day Disabled List (right triceps strain)

Jackson has been pitching out of the bullpen for the Marlins after washing out with the Cubs (who are still paying him) and the Braves last year.

Minnesota Twins placed 3B Trevor Plouffe on the 15-day Disabled List (right intercostal strain); recalled SS Jorge Polanco from Rochester (AAA)

Eduardo Nunez should get most of the starts at third, with Miguel Sano potentially get some playing time there.

Chicago White Sox recalled RHP Erik Johnson from Charlotte (AAA); optioned OF JB Shuck to Charlotte (AAA)

April 20

Kansas City Royals traded 1B Cody Decker to the Colorado Rockies for cash

Boston Red Sox placed RHP Joe Kelly on the 15-day Disabled List (impingement in right shoulder)

Kelly isn't the only starter who's had issues early this season, but he's been the worst of the bunch, walking 10 batters in just 8.2 innings of work (3 starts).

April 21

Texas Rangers placed RHP Keone Kela on the 15-day Disabled List (impingement in right elbow - surgery)

Kela ended the season as one of the Rangers' primary setup men, and he'll miss at least a couple more months after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur from his throwing elbow.

Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent LHP Joe Thatcher to a minor-league contract

The Dodgers are collecting quite a few Tribe roster casualties.

April 22

Toronto Blue Jays placed 1B Chris Colabello on the Restricted List (80-game suspension for PED)

Colabello tested positive for a steroid that goes by the trade name of Turinabol. Last week Philadelphia Phillies reliever Daniel Stumpf tested positive for the same drug.

New York Yankees placed Branden Pinder on the 15-day Disabled List (right elbow strain)

Oakland Athletics placed 3B Danny Valencia on the 15-day Disabled List (strained left hamstring)

April 23

Baltimore Orioles placed RHP Yovanni Gallardo on the 15-day Disabled List (right shoulder bicep tendinitis)

Gallardo signed just a two-year deal with the Orioles this winter, one of the true victims of the Qualifying Offer. He's going  to undergo further testing to determine if there's anything structurally wrong with his shoulder.

Detroit Tigers claimed C John Hicks off waivers from Minnesota Twins; optioned him to Erie (AA)

Hicks was claimed on waivers by the Twins this winter, and was designated for assignment earlier this week. He played 17 games with the Seattle Mariners last season.

April 24

Chicago White Sox placed C Alex Avila on the 15-day Disabled List (strained right hamstring); recalled C Kevan Smith from Charlotte (AAA)

Detroit Tigers placed RHP Francisco Rodriguez on the Bereavement List; recalled LHP Matt Boyd from Toledo (AAA)

And it was a very good thing the Tigers had Boyd yesterday, as he pitched the final 4.2 innings of their 6-3 loss after starter Shane Greene had to leave the game with a blister (well, the remains of one) on his pitching hand.

Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Tyler Duffey from Rochester; optioned SS Jorge Polanco to Rochester (AAA)

The Twins are probably going to make another pitching move prior to tonight's game, as Twins pitchers had to throw 15+ innings yesterday, only 4 of which was thrown by the starter (Duffey). I would imagine Duffey will be heading back to Rochester, and another AAA pitcher will be at Target Field tonight.

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I was thinking of the possibilities of roster moves in preparation by Michael Brantley's activation, and then Carlos Carrasco's injury (and pending DL stint) made them all irrelevant. With several off days over the next 2-3 weeks (April 28, May 2, May 12)  the Indians can go with a four-man rotation for now, leaving Trevor Bauer in the bullpen as a longman. And when the Indians finally need a fifth starter, Bauer can move to the rotation until Carrasco is healthy. We should know in a couple of hours how bad Carrasco's injury is, and as a result how long they'll be without him.

With Michael Brantley set to return, the player most affected will be Jose Ramirez, who although an infielder by trade, has been a mainstay in left field so far this season. I'd expect Ramirez to play more third base, especially if Juan Uribe continues to struggle at the plate.

The Indians finished the pre-Brantley part of the schedule 9-7, though with little thanks to their back end of the bullpen. Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw have combined for -1.0 WAR (and this doesn't include Sunday's game). But thankfully the rest of the bullpen has picked up the slack, especially Zach McAllister.