Cleveland Indians Make First Spring Training Roster Moves

The Cleveland Indians have trimmed down their Spring Training roster today sending several players to the minors:

None of these are that unexpected. The only guy in this group that really had any chance of making the big league roster was Zach Walters. While many were excited to see Michael Clevinger pitch and thought he could be a dark horse candidate for the fifth rotation spot, he was really always on the outside looking in. He has yet to throw a regular-season pitch at the Triple-A level, and he still has some things to work on (like his control). The most interesting move may be Shawn Morimando to Triple-A. There was some debate with Morimando on whether he would go to Triple-A Columbus or start at Double-A Akron and today’s transaction would seem to indicate he’ll be with the Clippers. However, it still remains to be seen if he will be pitching there as a starter or reliever.

Clevinger, Morimando, and Dylan Baker all were optioned for the first time. Assuming each spends at least the first 20 days of the season in the minors they’ll use up that option though they can be brought up and sent down as many times as the team feels like during the 2016 and only the one option will be burned. Ryan Merritt will be using his second minor league option, having used his first last season. Walters will be using his third and final minor league option, again assuming that he spends at least the first 20 days in the minors.

Both Adam Plutko and Will Roberts are not on the Tribe’s 40-man roster and were non-roster invitees. Neither has been “optioned” to the minors but rather, reassigned. If and when either is added to the 40-man roster, they’ll have all three of their minor league options still remaining. It remains to be seen where each of them will open the season.

Next: Spring Training All About Failure

With March nearly half over now, we should expect to see more of these moves in the coming weeks. The Indians will look to trim down the roster and focus playing time on the big league starters. Be sure to check back with Wahoo’s on First for more Cleveland Indians news and coverage.