The Indians announced Tuesday that veteran outfielder Matt Joyce has been granted his release from his minor league contract, making him a free agent. The Cleveland organization informed Joyce late last week that he would not make the big league roster. Joyce will now have the opportunity to seek a landing spot with just over a week until the regular season commences.
The 34-year-old Joyce had a rough 2018 season with the A’s (.208/.322/.353 in 246 PAs) and didn’t hit much in his limited time with the Indians organization this spring (5-for-27 with three walks and seven strikeouts). However, he’s only one season removed from batting .243/.335/.473 with the Athletics in 2017.
Broadly speaking, Joyce has been a quality platoon bat in the outfield corners over the past decade, hitting right-handed pitching at an above-average clip while playing largely solid defense. In nearly 3400 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, Joyce is a .250/.351/.451 hitter.

