Willy Mo Pena released by Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians have released 35-year-old outfielder Willy Mo Pena. Pena finished the spring with four hits, including a double and a home run in nine at-bats.

Despite the Indians’ various holes in the outfield coming into spring, Pena did not have much of a shot at making the team. Pena has not played on a major-league team since 2011 and the Indians already had Austin Jackson, Abe Almonte, and several others competing for the same slots in the outfield.

Pena, known in his heyday for hitting monster home runs, was brought into Indians camp at the request of Edwin Encarnacion, who the Indians signed to a lucrative deal this offseason.

According to Paul Hoynes, Encarnacion asked the Indians to take a look at “Pena and some other player he’s been working out with this winter.” Presumably as a favor to their newest superstar, the Indians listened to Edwin’s request and decided to take a flyer on Big Willy Mo on a deal that cost them essentially nothing and made their newest star happy. Everyone won.

Now, enjoy this video of Pena crushing a ball well over 500 feet in the minors.