Week in Transactions: Joba Chamberlain returns from the Disabled List

June 7

RHP Cody Anderson recalled to Cleveland

RHP Austin Adams optioned to Columbus (AAA)

RHP Michael Peoples promoted from Akron (AA) to Columbus (AAA)

Anderson, who had pitched very well in his last start with the Indians (Game 2 of the doubleheader in Chicago), was called upon to start because Danny Salazar had shoulder soreness. Austin Adams was already slated to head back to Columbus to make room for Joba Chamberlain, but instead Joba waited one more day on the DL.

Michael Peoples made a spot start in Columbus in place of Cody Anderson. He's someone that I think could make an effective reliever at the major-league level, but for now he's still starting.

June 8

RHP Michael Peoples demoted from Columbus (AAA) to Akron (AA)

RHP Joba Chamberlain activated from 15-day Disabled List

RHP Cody Anderson optioned to Columbus (AAA)

AAA: Released RHP Jarrett Grube

Chamberlain ended up missing a little more than the minimum. He's been very effective pitching in low-leverage roles, though he did give up a run in his first appearance since going off the DL. With Chamberlain's return, the Indians once again do not have an optionable reliever aside from Cody Allen.

With at least three starting pitchers (Anderson, Clevinger, Merritt) ahead of him on the depth chart, Grube asked for and received his release. A day late he signed with the Seattle Mariners organization and was sent to AAA Tacoma, where the situation should be a little more favorable for him.

June 9

OF Luigi Rodriguez promoted from Lynchburg (A) to Akron (AA)

OF Taylor Murphy demoted from Akron (AA) to Lynchburg (A)

Rodriguez had been serving an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a PED last August. Before the suspension, Rodriguez was having a fine season with the Hillcats before the positive test, hitting .290/.332/.489 with 24 stolen bases. This is his first time at AA, and he joins an outfield that already includes Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier.

June 10

LHP Anderson Polanco demoted from Akron (AA) to Lynchburg (A)

OF Bobby Ison demoted from Lynchburg (A) to Lake County (A-)

June 11

AAA: Placed RHP Toru Murata on the Disabled List (neck)

A-: Activated RHP Yoiber Marquina from the Disabled List

AA: RHP Casey Weathers activated from Disabled List

Weathers had been on the DL since the beginning of the season. The 31-year-old has spent his entire career in minors, with AA being the highest level he's played at. The Indians signed Weathers last year on the strength of this video, in which he threw 108 mph (at close range).

Latest 25-man/40-man Roster

Embiggened Version

Google Docs version (will be updated tonight)

Juan Uribe is going to be out a couple games after taking a ground ball where no male wants to take one, but will avoid the DL. In the meantime, Jose Ramirez should be getting playing at third, a position that I would have to believe the Indians would prefer that he play down the stretch. Ramirez has done an admirable job learning the outfield, but ultimately he belongs on the infield. Preferably Michael Brantley will be the one to move Jose Ramirez back to the infield, but we still don't really know when that will happen. Abraham Almonte is slated to return from suspension in early July, but the Indians still have an option on him, so there's no guarantee that he'll go straight back to the major-league roster. So it might end taking a trade to move Ramirez back to the infield.