Cleveland Indians Purchase Contract Of RHP Austin Adams

It’s been a bit of a crazy day in Cleveland, but baseball continues and the Cleveland Indians have purchased the contract of RHP Austin Adams, who will be on the big-league roster for the first time.

The last ‘+’ should probably be interpreted as good news for LHP TJ House, who likely deserved a better stat line on July 10 after was saddled with shoddy defense and labored through 4.2 IP. House was unlikely to be used before the All-Star break, and calling up Adams will give Indians manager Terry Francona a fresh arm to use in the bullpen. House has had a slightly-uneven rookie season, but has probably shown enough in his eight starts to warrant a call up shortly after the break.

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Adams was a fifth-round pick by Cleveland in the 2009 draft from Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL. The 27-year-old was originally a starting pitcher, a shoulder injury forced Adams to miss all of 2012 and he was converted to relief. He’s posted some nice numbers in his first year at AAA Columbus, striking out 35 and only walking eight batters in 39.1 IP. He’s a live arm, and could emerge as an intriguing high-leverage option for Francona at some point. Adams was already on the 40-man roster, so the demotion of House was the only move the Indians needed to make.

Adams seemed to have known about the news before the Indians announced it, as he was in a good mood early:

It was also announced today the Indians would lose CA George Kottaras, as he was claimed on waivers:

After St. Louis Cardinals CA Yadier Molina suffered a torn ligament in his right hand (8-12 week estimated recovery time), it was only natural for the Cards to look for a replacement. Kottaras has become a bit of a Cleveland legend in limited play, but with only 21 at bats in 10 games across two stints with Cleveland, it’s not a major loss for the Indians.