The Indians signed veteran left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring camp on Tuesday.
Detwiler is the third left-handed pitcher the Indians have signed and invited to camp this week. Among those signed as nonroster invitees by the Indians, Detwiler is the seventh pitcher and the 13th player overall.
Detwiler, 29, has spent time as a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher in his eight-year career, amassing a 21-37 record and 4.20 ERA overall.
Last season was a struggle for Detwiler, who took a step back from his 4.00 ERA in 2014 with the Washington Nationals and posted a 7.00-plus ERA with the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves in 58⅓ innings combined.
His best chance to make the Opening Day roster is as a left-handed specialist in the bullpen. In his career, he’s held left-handed batters to a .233 batting average.
The Indians also recently invited left-handed relief pitchers Tom Gorzelanny and Joe Thatcher to spring training to compete with current 40-man roster options Giovanni Soto and Kyle Crockett.
Official release
The Indians designated Chris Johnson for assignment last week, and he has now been officially released by the team.
The Indians will be responsible for the remaining $17.5 million left on his deal. He is owed $7.5 million this season, $9 million next season and had a $10 million option with a $1 million buyout for 2018.
Still, the Indians chose not to lose a younger player on the 40-man roster who could offer more production, salary notwithstanding.
Johnson is now free to sign with any team.
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