WEDNESDAY: Lewis was optioned to Triple A Columbus, tweets MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. Castrovince explained yesterday that the move was a procedural one.
TUESDAY: The Indians designated righty Jensen Lewis for assignment to make room for Asdrubal Cabrera, according to the team. Lewis, 26, posted a 4.18 ERA in 22 relief appearances for the Indians this year, with 6.1 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9. The 2005 third-rounder picked up 23.2 innings in total this season, his fourth in the Indians' 'pen.
But teams salivating over Lewis in a thin relief market should check themselves. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports that Lewis will not be placed on outright waivers and was DFA'd as a technicality (Twitter link).
Cabrera, who broke out for the Indians last season, is returning from a fractured left forearm and will play in the majors for the first time since May 17th. Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo and Kerry Wood have all missed time due to injuries as well.
This moves makes no sense by itself…
The Tribe did not need a 40-man roster spot for Cabrera. Yes, he was on the 60-day DL, but they DFAed Anderson Hernandez over the weekend, which already cleared up a 40-man spot.
Lewis wasn’t out of options so could have just been sent back down.
Choo is coming off the DL on Friday…but he is already on the 40-man (only 15-day DL).
So again, not sure what this move accomplishes unless there is another move that has yet to be announced.
And then of course there’s the fact that Lewis had the 4th lowest WHIP and 4th lowest BAA of any of the Tribe relievers…..both lower than Kerry Wood….
Pick him up, Mariners. God knows we need the bullpen help.
Could be that this move was to clear a roster spot for Tomlin to be added to the roster, I have a hard time believing we will see Laffey start very many more games before being sent back down or moved to the bullpen.
I’m actually thinking this may be the case as well. Nothing else makes sense. Laffey is having an arm issue and getting an MRI done. Granted you could just go with Carrasco or Huff instead, Tomlin has been pitching extremely well and Acta has been hinting at a call up for a while.
From Castrovince, “Regarding Jensen Lewis, I’m told the designation for assignment is a technicality that the Indians had to perform because he was only with the Major League club for a few days. He is on optional waivers (not outright waivers) and will probably be back on the 40-man shortly. The Indians said he is expected to be optioned to Columbus tomorrow.”
Yeah saw this. Still don’t get what only being with the team for a couple days has to do with anything. Jeanmar Gomez was up with the club for 1 game (2 days) and was sent back down.
If it is in fact optional waivers then there is no chance of the Indians losing him. Even if he is claimed they are allowed to pull him back. My guess is they would as Laffey is nursing a sore arm. You could DL him then instead and keep Lewis up in the end.