CLEVELAND: The Indians made a couple of moves on Sunday, with another one tentatively scheduled ahead of Monday’s Opening Day game against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field.
The Indians designated utility man Zach Walters and Giovanni Soto for assignment to make room for outfielder Marlon Byrd and relief pitcher Ross Detwiler on the 40-man roster. To allow Detwiler and Byrd to be added to the active 25-man roster, the club also officially placed outfielders Michael Brantley (shoulder surgery, retroactive to March 25) and Lonnie Chisenhall (left wrist impingement, retroactive to March 28) on the 15-day disabled list.
A third addition will come on Monday, but it’s dependent on a medical test. Catcher Roberto Perez took a foul tip in Saturday’s spring training game against the Texas Rangers and could potentially miss time with a concussion, according to manager Terry Francona. Perez will be tested either Sunday night or Monday morning to see if he is ready to go.
If Perez is ready, then relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain will have his contract purchased. If Perez can’t go and is placed on the seven-day concussion list, then the club will purchase the contract of Adam Moore from Triple-A Columbus. Chamberlain’s Indians debut, if Perez has to miss time, would then have to wait. Either way, a third corresponding 40-man roster move will have to be made.
In terms of the 25-man roster, relief pitcher Tommy Hunter — currently acting as a placeholder for the 25th spot — will be placed on the disabled list to allow the club to add Chamberlain or Moore after the 40-man roster move. Hunter can remain on the roster an extra day before hitting the DL to allow the Indians to wait and see with Perez and only make one 40-man roster move as opposed to needing two.
The Indians also assigned pitchers Craig Stammen, Jarret Grube and Tom Gorzelanny, catcher Guillermo Quiroz and infielders Todd Hankins and Michael Martinez to minor league camp.
Lineup set
There were plenty of question marks surrounding the Indians’ Opening Day lineup, especially with Francona refusing to tip his hand.
On Sunday, now void of any spring training games, Francona said the lineup would likely mirror Saturday’s lineup against the Texas Rangers and left-hander Derek Holland. The Indians will face Red Sox left-handed ace David Price on Monday.
That means Rajai Davis will be hitting leadoff and playing center field. He’ll be followed by Jason Kipnis in the No. 2 spot with Francisco Lindor hitting in the No. 3 hole. Mike Napoli, who hits lefties well, hits fourth followed by Carlos Santana and Yan Gomes. The bottom of the lineup is expected to feature Marlon Byrd in left field, Juan Uribe at third base and Collin Cowgill hitting ninth and playing right field.
Francona added that after Price, the Red Sox are expected to throw two right-handers, which will allow Jose Ramirez and Tyler Naquin to get some opening series action.
It’s entirely possible that Francona changes his mind or another variable comes into play, and changes have to be made prior to the first pitch at 4:10 p.m. What is known is that the Indians will need to find some run support for Corey Kluber, and doing it against Price isn’t likely to be easy.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ