Bradley Zimmer to DL, Neil Ramirez called up

The Indians made three roster moves Tuesday afternoon, none of which should catch anyone by surprise.

Moving Bradley Zimmer to the disabled list seemed like a foregone conclusion, as the centerfielder has played just once since colliding with the fence in Yankee Stadium on May 5. His trip to the 10-day DL is backdated as much as possible, to May 12, giving some hope that his absence will be but a brief one.

Replacing Zimmer is yet another relief arm, this time in the form of Neil Ramirez. Ramirez represents the sixth reliever activated (including the activation of Andrew Miller from the DL) in the month of May, as the team tries to find a way to improve upon a bullpen that has accumulated 10 losses in relief with a 5.45 ERA (third worst in MLB) while accumulating -0.3 fWAR.

The Indians are the sixth franchise in Ramirez’s career. He has 116 innings pitched at the big league level, with a 4.22 ERA, 1.416 WHIP, 2.19 K/BB, and 4.42 FIP. At Columbus this year, Ramirez has been better than his career averages, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 10.33 K/BB, and 1.87 FIP.

To make room for Ramirez on the 25-man roster, Ryan Merritt was transferred to the 60-day DL. Merritt suffered a setback in his rehab in Columbus on May 4 and was shut down; he’ll be eligible to return no earlier than May 28.

Completely unrelated to Zimmer’s DL trip, Monday was the 11-year anniversary of this Sports Illustrated cover:

I’m not crying. You’re crying.