Cleveland Indians Call Up Erik Gonzalez; Option T.J. House to Columbus

Cleveland Indians Call Up Gonzalez; Option House to Columbus

Fresh off his outstanding performance in the Triple-A All-Star Game, the Cleveland Indians have announced they’ve called up shortstop prospect Erik Gonzalez from Columbus. To make room, the Indians have optioned pitcher T.J. House to Triple-A.

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Gonzalez has had quite a last few days, going 1 for 4 with a home run in the Triple-A All-Star game in Charlotte last night to joining the big league Indians in Minnesota as they prepare to take on the Twins this weekend. Gonzalez is now the third

top 15 prospect

the Cleveland Indians have called up this year, joining outfielder

(

11th ranked prospect

) and pitcher

(

8th ranked prospect

).

The 24-year-old Gonzalez has been in the Indians organization since 2008 when he was signed as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. He was added to the 40-man roster before the 2014 season and has spent the entire 2016 season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers where he hit .296 in 81 games. While shortstop is his natural position, the versatile infielder has added the outfield to his repertoire this season, playing three games in center field and right field with the Clippers.

T.J. House returns to Triple-A where he’s spent most of the 2016 season. The 26-year-old left-hander appeared in four games for the Indians, all as a reliever, throwing 2 2/3 innings with a 3.38 ERA. With the Clippers, he has made 19 appearances, 12 as a starter, throwing 60 2/3 innings with a 4.45 ERA.

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With House no longer in the Tribe’s bullpen, the Indians will be without a left-hander on the big league roster. The move also leaves the Indians with the traditional seven pitchers in the bullpen instead of the eight they’ve been accustomed to using. The addition of Gonzalez gives manager Terry Francona a fourth bench player and extra utility player.