Cleveland Indians: Minor League Games Begin; Soto Optioned

Minor League Spring Training Games Begin Today

The Cleveland Indians’ minor league affiliates begin their spring training schedule today. The Columbus Clippers (Triple-A), Akron Rubberducks (Double-A), Lynchburg Hillcats (Advanced-A), and Lake County Captains (Class-A) all are scheduled for their first spring training games today.

These clubs are the Tribe’s four full-season affiliates; their Short-Season club, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, don’t begin play until June.  Although a few guys have seen some action with the big league club (Bradley Zimmer, Nellie Rodriguez, and Ronny Rodriguez among others), most of the young guys that weren’t invited to big league camp will start seeing their first real game action of the spring as they prepare for the 2016 season ahead.

Cleveland Indians Option Soto to Columbus

The Cleveland Indians announced another roster move today, optioning left-handed reliever Giovanni Soto to Triple-A Columbus.

Soto was competing for a spot in the Tribe’s bullpen. He was one of five left-handed relievers that were being seriously considered for big league jobs. The other four lefties, Kyle Crockett, Joe Thatcher, Tom Gorzelanny, and Ross Detwiler, remain in camp and will try and win a job in Terry Francona‘s pen.

Next: Indians Top Prospects: #16 Ryan Merritt

I recently talked about Soto in our 2016 Cleveland Indians Top Prospect countdown. He made his big league debut last September and while he’ll head back to Triple-A Columbus we almost certainly will see him in Cleveland at some point this season. None of the lefties competing for big league jobs are sure things so I expect there to be some movement among the southpaws throughout the season.  Be sure to check back with Wahoo’s on First for more Spring Training updates and roster moves.