The Indians have designated righty Matt Belisle for assignment, as MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reports on Twitter. He’ll be replaced on the active roster by fellow right-hander Ben Taylor.
Belisle, 37, cracked the Indians’ Opening Day roster but has not impressed out of the gates. He has allowed six earned runs and managed just four strikeouts in his 10 1/3 innings of work though he has maintained his typical fastball velocity (91 mph) and swinging-strike rate (9.8%).
It is not known whether the veteran hurler signed an advanced consent clause, but if so, the organization may simply have decided to cut him loose rather than promising him a salary for the remainder of the season. Belisle’s minors deal called for him to earn at a $1.5MM rate with up to $1.75MM in incentives.
As for Taylor, he was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox during camp. The 26-year-old has turned in an eye-opening start to the season at Triple-A. Through 10 1/3 frames, he has recorded 16 strikeouts against a single walk while generating grounders on nearly half of the balls put in play against him.
Bet they’ll try to get him to Columbus. Gonna need some depth there.
Doubt he’ll accept the assignment there at his age. Someone like the Twins will pick him up
Twins didn’t want him already.
Maybe the Long Island Ducks will pick him up, they just signed K-Rod
Set up/closer combo. Domination on the way.
He’ll be good depth if they can get him to Columbus, but man am I excited to see him go. He’s been pretty bad this year.
Doubt he accepts the assignment to AAA. Some other major league team will sign him after he clears waivers
If he couldn’t get a major league offer in the offseason, I doubt he’s getting one now after how he’s looked. I could see him rejecting an assignment to look at the market if that’s what you mean, but I think he’s ticketed for AAA somewhere whether it’s with the Indians or not.
Yeah I could see that, but teams are desperate for bullpen arms and someone will give him another shot in majors this year.
Agreed, MC.
I’m excited to see what Taylor can do. He could be this years Goody.
Can’t believe Boston DFA’d him so early this spring when they had so many discards left on the 40 man and still have a few. agree that Taylor has potential to be a fair middle reliever. Decent slider and can get his FB into the mid 90’s with good command. poor decision to DFA him when still had Brentz, Marrero and Weems on the 40 man. Indians made good move to swipe him.
I wish Goody could be this year’s Goody.
Still things to like with Belisle, though the bottom line results certainly haven’t been there. Someone will want him.
Name ‘em…
Maybe that Dodger genius Friedman will pick him up and add him to their dysfunctional pen?
Exactly what I was thinking. Belisle is the perfect arm to intensify the emergency they’ve got going on out there.