Cleveland Indians: Sunday’s roster moves and injury updates

The Cleveland Indians have made a few moves worth noting today. They have also given some injury updates ahead of the series finale with Oakland.

The Cleveland Indians front office got busy today as they made a few moves and changes to the roster.

The first move is optioning Adam Plutko to Columbus and adding Marc Rzepczynski to the 40-man roster.

Indians moves:

•RHP Adam Plutko optioned to AAA
•LHP Marc Rzepczynski contract selected
•40-man move to add Zep TBA

Barring something unexpected, this means Shane Bieber will remain the 5th starter when Carlos Carrasco returns from the DL.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 1, 2018

As you can see in the above tweet, this means that Shane Bieber has earned his spot as the fifth starter. This is great news for the young right-hander as he has done everything asked of him and pitched well in his opportunities.

Plutko had a decent run but ultimately, Bieber had a better one. Carlos Carrasco will come back very soon as you’ll see in the next tweet.

Francona: Carrasco will come off the DL to start on Friday against the A's. Tito said the pitcher hit 97 mph in his rehab start with Double-A Akron Saturday. Threw 58 pitches in game and finished with some more in bullpen.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 1, 2018

This is amazing news for the Indians. Carrasco’s arm looks to be okay given his bullpen sessions and minor league start.

The injury looked much worse when it happened so to see him back so soon is worthy of a collective sigh of relief.

Carrasco will slot right back into his normal role and look to build on what he had going before the injury. The addition of Bieber to Corey Kluber, Carrasco, Trevor Bauer and Mike Clevinger gives the Indians a top rotation down the stretch.

Roster moves often result in a minors player losing his spot. This time is no different as the Indians had to make a move to make room for Rzepczynski.

The Indians have released LHP Shawn Morimando. That clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Rzepczynski.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 1, 2018

Shawn Morimando had made two appearances in Cleveland and they did not go well. He did have a decent minors career to this point going 61-57 with a 3.67 ERA in 8 seasons across the minors.

His most recent stint in Columbus, however, did not go well as he is 1-3 with a 7.03 ERA. He struck out just 11 batters and walked 10 in 24.1 innings of work.

It is sad to see guys lose their jobs but the MLB is a business. Morimando got the short end of the stick but will get another shot somewhere.

The last bit of injury news has to do with Tyler Olson.

LHP Tyler Olson is throwing another bullpen session here in Oakland right now. Next step TBD. Likely either a sim game or sent out on Minor League rehab.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 1, 2018

Next: Francisco Mejia is heating up in Columbus

It seems the lefty reliever is close to returning to action. The injury could have had a lot to do with the complete-180 his performance had between 2017 and 2018. The bullpen still needs some help and a healthy Olson may help if he can return to 2017 form.

The Cleveland Indians have made a few moves worth noting today. They have also given some injury updates ahead of the series finale with Oakland.

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