The Indians announced Friday that they’ve signed veteran catcher Ryan Lavarnway to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Columbus.
Lavarnway, 32, appeared in five games with the Reds this summer amid a series of injuries to Cincinnati’s catching corps, hitting .278/.316/.722 with a pair of homers in 19 plate appearances. He’s a lifetime .211/.270/.343 hitter at the MLB level and a .271/.363/.426 hitter in parts of nine seasons of Triple-A ball.
The Indians have both Roberto Perez and Kevin Plawecki as catching options on the big league roster, but Lavarnway will become a candidate to get a look once rosters expand on Sunday. He’ll provide some direct competition to Columbus catcher Eric Haase, who previously appeared a good bet to join the Indians as a September call-up.
Francys01
Good signing.
User 4245925809
Lava has a degree from Yale in believe was sports medicine? Why not use that degree from a prestigious university, where probably could find a far better paying job and has already done about all he can do in order to fulfill his MLB dreams.
gizmo22
Hmmm, let me think. “I get to play baseball everyday, and get paid for it. Or, I could go get “real job”.
andrewgauldin
Yup lol. And he’s still young. Why not grind it out until maybe 35 years old? Then start thinking about a job like that
User 4245925809
i put that wrong, or never finished which is common for me.. With his degree.. Could more than likely pretty easilly get a job within some MLB organization one would think and stay close to the game, much like some do as scouts, coaches, only he would in a semi medical field.
BaseballBat2000
He also hasn’t graduated from Yale yet. Left after Jr year and was not a science major.
agentx
Hey, Indians fans. Any word on whether CLE is talking to Scooter Gennett? And if so, would you even want him for the stretch run?
mattynokes
Doubtful. I figure it’s with the thought of him covering for Jose while he’s out, but Gennett has been almost exclusively been a 2B for his career. I can’t see them wanting him at 3B when Chang is at least sound defensively.
123redsox
They could be looking at him playing second and sending kipnis to the outfield
CKinSTL
I wouldn’t think Kip fits in the OF. The Indians just have far better options in Puig, Mercado, Allen, and Naquin.
agentx
All good points. Thanks!!
Polish Hammer
I’d like to see them kick the tires on Scooter.
AZPat
The Mets are going to release panik and sign gennett.
BaseballBrian
International League team #6