The Indians have selected the contract of veteran left-hander Craig Breslow from Triple-A Columbus, MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reports (via Twitter). In corresponding moves, lefty Ryan Merritt was optioned to Triple-A and right-hander Diego Moreno was designated for assignment.
Breslow signed a minor league deal with the Tribe earlier this month after being released by the Twins at the end of July. Breslow posted a 5.23 ERA, 1.5 K/BB and 5.2 K/9 over 31 innings for Minnesota, though those unimpressive overall numbers mask some glaring splits. Right-handed hitters accounted for much of the damage against Breslow this season, while he held left-handed hitters to just a .200/.279/.257 slash line (over 44 PA).
With Andrew Miller on the DL, Breslow adds some veteran depth to a Cleveland bullpen that only has one other left-hander (Tyler Olson, who is yet to allow a run over 10 innings pitched this season). Miller isn’t expected to be out of action long, and when he returns after the September 1 roster expansion, so the Tribe will have their multi-inning threat as well as two southpaws in Breslow and Olson who can handle more specific situations against lefty bats late in games.
Moreno was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay last month and he has since made six appearances for Cleveland’s Triple-A affiliate. Moreno has a 2.97 ERA, 9.3 K/9 and 3.7 K/BB rate over 424 2/3 career innings over ten years in the minors, as well as a 5.06 ERA over two brief stints in the big leagues (10 1/3 IP with the Yankees in 2015 and 5 2/3 IP with the Rays this season).
Really wasn’t but a matter of time until one of Francona’s buddies joined him again. many called this here when he joined the team a cpl weeks back.
Breslow will bring a lighter side to the clubhouse, which Francona also may be looking for to loosen things up some during the stretch run here. One of the more intelligent ppl in the game either can’t hurt to work with his pitchers. He would work with Beckett on his curve when it would get out of whack in Boston. I think a job as pitching coach could be in his future if he wants to do it
If anyone can get him back to being somewhat productive, it’s Mickey Callaway.
if you’re a friend of tito, you make it onto the team somehow
if you use him as a lefty specialist he’s a fine option. if you use him as more than that he will struggle
Bingo
And he proves you wrong by getting out RH batters today.