Week in Transactions: Fallout from the 19-inning game

Latest 25-man/40-man Roster

Embiggened version

Google Docs version

(not listed: Joseph Colon...will add him tonight)

Major-League Transactions

After a couple weeks of relative calm, the Indians made a flurry of moves over the long Independence day weekend:

July 1

Sent C Roberto Perez on rehab assignment to AZL Indians (R-)

This is the first step on Perez’s official rehab. He’s been sidelined since April 30, and can be activated from the DL as soon as he’s healthy and ready for the majors again. Chris Gimenez would normally be the obvious catcher to go when Perez returns, but because Yan Gomes has been a disaster at the plate, and with Gimenez playing a part in Trevor Bauer’s success this season, there’s a legitimate argument to send Gomez to Columbus when Perez can return. Gomes still has at least option year remaining, and I think a stint in the minors could help him get back on track for the stretch run.

July 2

Designated UT Michael Martinez for Assignment

Recalled LHP Shawn Morimando from Akron (AA) - MLB Debut

Purchased the contract of Joseph Colon; optioned him to Columbus (AAA)

The day after the 19-inning saga, the Indians needed to bring up a starter, and Morimando was the only real option on the 40-man roster. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, the Indians DFAed Michael Martinez, who was able to stick around on the roster because of Marlon Byrd’s suspension. He was probably destined to go when Abraham Almonte returned anyway.

Morimando was actually going to make his AAA debut on the 2nd, as the Clippers had their own need for starting pitching, but he made a detour from Pawtucket to Toronto on short notice. He didn’t end up starting the game (as the Indians didn’t know if he’d get there in time), but did pitch 3.2 innings, giving the Indians a chance to win the game.

The Indians took advantage of the vacant 40-man roster spot to add Joe Colon, who would have been eligible to declare free agency if he hadn’t been on the 40-man roster. He’s been very good pitching in relief for Columbus after returning from a 50-game suspension after testing positive for a “drug of abuse” before Spring Training.

July 3

Transferred OF Michael Brantley to 60-day Disabled List (retro to May 10)

Reinstated OF Abraham Almonte from the Restricted List

Optioned LHP Shawn Morimando to Columbus (AAA)

Don’t read anything ominous into the Brantley move; because the Indians can place him on the DL retroactive to first day missed with the injury, he’ll can be activated this weekend. Now obviously that isn’t going to happen, as Michael has just now started to take batting practice, but this move will not by itself delay Brantley’s return to the active roster.

The move was needed to reinstate Abraham Almonte to the 40-man roster. Players suspended by MLB can be place on the Restricted List, meaning that Almonte didn’t count against the club’s 40-man roster while he was serving his punishment. Almonte does have an option left, but the club elected to bring him back to the 40-man roster.

July 4

Designated RHP Joba Chamberlain and LHP Tom Gorzelanny for Assignment

Recalled LHP TJ House and RHP Mike Clevinger from Columbus (AAA)

After Corey Kluber’s short outing on the 2nd, the Indians needed further bullpen reinforcements, but nobody in the bullpen was optionable, so they had to Designate both Gorzelanny and Chamberlain to make room for House and Clevinger. The reason for parting company with Gorzelanny was self-evident if you watched him on Sunday, but Chamberlain seemed at first glance safe; after all, he had a 2.25 ERA and had been effective in his recent outings. But that 2.25 ERA had been mostly supported by an unsustainable .216 BABIP (batting average of balls in play), and he’d had trouble staying in the strike zone of late. Chamberlain can still be a useful pitcher (I have no doubt that someone will claim on waivers), but the Indians can do better with pitchers in their own organization.

House, who until June was a starter, has been pitching out of the bullpen with some success. The Indians have been looking for a matchup left-handed reliever all season, and House will get a shot at facing tough left-handed hitters, at least until they acquire a reliever before the trade deadline. Clevinger was brought up as an insurance policy in case of another short start or a lengthy extra-inning game, and will head back to Columbus as soon as the innings crisis has passed. I think Shawn Armstrong is the favorite to replace Clevinger, although they could go with Colon instead.

Minor-league Transactions

June 27

AAA: Placed LHP Ryan Merritt on the Disabled List (mid-back tightness)

AAA: Activated OF Bryson Myles from the Disabled List

Promoted 2B Claudio Bautista from Lynchburg (A) to Akron (AA)

Promoted C Daniel Salters from Lynchburg (A) to Akron (AA)

Demoted C Alex Monsalve from Akron (AA) to Lynchburg (A)

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

Demoted SS Angel Miguel from Akron (AA) to Lake County (A-)

Promoted C Francisco Mejia from Lake County (A-) to Lynchburg (A)

Promoted SS Tyler Krieger from Lake County (A-) to Lynchburg (A)

Demoted OF David Armendariz from Lynchburg (A) to Lake County (A-)

Demoted C Sicnarf Loopstok from Lynchburg (A) to Lake County (A-)

Demoted IF Erlin Cerda from Lake County (A-) to Mahoning Valley (SSA)

A bunch of mid-season promotions/demotions, with Francisco Mejia being the big name here. He was outstanding in Lake County, and will be one of the names thrown around in trade rumors between now and the end of the month.

Had Merritt not been on the DL, he probably would have been called up to pitch in Toronto instead of Morimando.

June 30

A: Activated RHP Justin Garcia from the Disabled List

AAA: Placed LHP Ross Detwiler on the Temporary Inactive List

Detwiler was away from the club for a couple days to be with his wife for the birth of their child.

July 1

AA: C Eric Haase placed on the Disabled List

AA: SS Eric Stamets activated from the Disabled List

A-: Placed C Jake Goihl on the Disabled List

Demoted 3B Grofi Cruz from Mahoning Valley (SSA) to AZL Indians (R-)

July 2

AAA: Placed RHP Will Roberts on the Disabled List (blister)

Promoted LHP David Speer from Lynchburg (A) to Columbus (AAA)

Promoted LHP Nick Maronde from Akron (AA) to Columbus (AAA)

Promoted RHP Nick Pasquale from Lynchburg (A) to Akron (AA)

The Clippers were already short on pitchers with both Merritt and Detwiler away from the club, so the Indians had to improvise, throwing a number of arms at Columbus to get them through the shortage, and then at Akron because of the pitchers sent to Columbus, and so on....

July 4

LHP Nick Maronde demoted from Columbus (AAA) to Akron (AA)

Promoted RHP Cameron Hill from Lynchburg (A) to Columbus (AAA)

Promoted RHP Perci Garner from Akron (AA) to Columbus (AAA)

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

Promoted SS Ivan Castillo from Akron (AA) to Columbus (AAA)

Demoted LHP David Speer from Columbus (AAA) to Lynchburg (A)

Promoted RHP Argenis Angulo from Lake County (A-) to Akron (AA)

Promoted RHP Cortland Cox from Lake County (A-) to Akron (AA)

See July 3.