The Week in Transactions: Clint Frazier to DL, Giovanny Urshela activated from DL

Tribe Transactions

May 23

A: Placed RHP Julian Merryweather on the Disabled List (retro to May 20)

A-: Activated RHP Cortland Cox from the Disabled List

May 24

AAA: OF Michael Choice activated from Disabled List

RHP Cody Anderson optioned to Columbus (AAA)

LHP Matt Whitehouse promoted from Lake County (A-) to Lynchburg (A)

Anderson had to go back down after the doubleheader, as he was the 26th man. He's eligible to return to Cleveland now that ten days have elapsed from the time the Indians last optioned him. Cody pitched four innings on Saturday, throwing 48 pitches, leading me to believe that he's the backup option in case Carlos Carrasco can't come off the DL this week.

Whitehouse has been outstanding at Lake County pitching in long relief situations (he averaged over two innings per appearance). In his first two outs in Lynchburg, he threw two, then three innings, so perhaps the Indians are going to try moving him into the rotation.

May 25

OF Bryson Myles demoted from Columbus (AAA) to Akron (AA)

AAA: 3B Giovanny Urshela activated from Disabled List

AA: OF Clint Frazier placed on Disabled List (retro to May 24 - right hamstring)

C Juan de la Cruz promoted from Extended Spring to Lynchburg (A)

A: Placed RHP Justin Garcia on the Disabled List

RHP Jared Robinson demoted from Lynchburg (A) to Lake County (A-)

The two big moves here are one prospect (Urshela) coming off the DL with another (Frazier) going on the DL.

What's interesting about the Urshela move is that Yandy Diaz, who was brought up to AAA to play third in Urshela's absence, will remain on with Columbus at least for the time being. In yesterday's game he played second base, and should get some games at DH as well. In 16 games in Columbus Diaz is hitting .271/.328/.508, though do keep in mind that Columbus has one of the most favorable hitting parks east of the Mississippi.

Frazier's hamstring injury is described as a strain, which is a lot more serious than the initial diagnosis of cramping. We don't really know how serious Frazier's injury is; let's hope it's of the milder variety. [edit (4 PM): Frazier has been activated off the DL. So it was not all that serious of an injury.]

May 28

AAA: Released RHP Felipe Paulino

RHP Carlos Carrasco sent to Akron (AA) on Rehab Assignment

The Indians released Paulino because he got a contract with a team in Korea, where he'll make a lot more money than on a minor-league contract.

Carrasco pitched for the Ducks on Saturday night, throwing four innings, and more importantly, showing that he could get to first base without any issues. He was scheduled to throw on the side yesterday, and if everything checks out could come off the DL on Friday, though he'd be on a pitch count.

May 29

AAA: Released C Alex Lavisky

RHP Cole Sulser promoted from Akron (AA) to Columbus (AAA)

Lavisky, who is from the Cleveland area, had been in the organization since the Indians selected him in the eighth round of the 2010 draft. In recent years he'd spent a lot of time on the DL, and hadn't gotten much regular playing time when he was healthy.

This is Sulser's first AAA experience. The 26-year-old was drafted by the Indians out of Dartmouth in 2013.

May 30

AA: LHP Rob Kaminsky activated from Disabled List

Kaminsky made the start last night, his first since May 8th. He was on a pitch count (he only threw 47 pitches), as he didn't make any rehab starts in Extended Spring. He should be gradually ramped up over his next couple of starts.

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No real roster move this week (Anderson was a "26th man") but we should see at least a couple moves this week. Carlos Carrasco is slated to return to the rotation on Friday, and the Indians might send down Ryan Merritt in favor of another reliever. Merritt did a fine job in long relief yesterday (his MLB debut after a week on the 25-man roster), but I think the Indians would rather him be getting regular innings in Columbus than the occasional multi-inning stint in Cleveland. If Carrasco checks out today, the Indians could possibly option Mike Clevinger as well if they would want an extra reliever or a position player for the remainder of the Texas series.