GOODYEAR, Ariz. — More players left the building Tuesday, as the Indians made another round of cuts that reduced their spring training roster to 38 players.
Cleveland optioned right-handed reliever Jess Todd to Triple-A Columbus, while reassigning left-hander Mike Gosling and righties Frank Herrmann, Josh Judy and Yohan Pino to minor league camp.
Catcher Damaso Espino, infielder Brian Bixler and infielder/outfielder Shelley Duncan were also reassigned to minor league camp.
Todd, acquired last year as part of a trade with the Cardinals for Mark DeRosa, was a candidate for one of the bullpen openings, but struggled for the majority of the exhibition season. He appeared in five games (41/3 innings) and allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks.
Duncan, a free-agent acquisition this offseason who played in 68 games for the Yankees the past three years, had an outside shot at a utility spot when camp opened. He hit .286 (6-for-21) with a double, a home run and two RBIs in seven games.
Bixler, a Sandusky native, cleared waivers after being designated for assignment, rejoining the big league spring training roster before being sent down Tuesday. He batted .261 (6-for-23) with a triple and an RBI in 15 games.
The Indians need to trim 13 more players off the roster before the regular season opens, April 4, in Chicago against the White Sox.
More are expected to go before Thursday, when manager Manny Acta said he would begin to play his regulars more often to prepare them for the season-opening series against the Sox.
Sowers’ story
Acta confirmed what most already believed. Jeremy Sowers is out of the running to make the opening-day rotation. The left-hander got a late start to training camp with inflammation in his left shoulder.
“It doesn’t look like he’s going to be stretched out enough to be a starter,” Acta said. “We’re going to have to make a decision whether to keep him as a bullpen option or not.”
Sowers made his second exhibition appearance Tuesday and was roughed up for seven runs (six earned) on five hits and two walks. He failed to record an out in the second inning and was relieved.
If Sowers doesn’t make the club as a reliever, he will most likely begin the season on the disabled list.
Brantley rests
Outfielder Michael Brantley was not in the lineup for the second straight day but told reporters prior to the game that his right ankle was not an issue. Brantley left the Indians’ exhibition game in Glendale on Sunday after stepping awkwardly on the ankle while running to first base.
“He’s fine,” Acta said. “Why not give him the day off, then with the off-day (today), he’ll have three days off.”
One of the strongest candidates for the starting job in left field, Brantley is batting .323 (10-for-31) with a double, a triple and four RBIs in 11 games.
Numbers game
If spring training statistics mean anything, the Indians look primed to compete for a Central Division title.
Cleveland entered Tuesday with the lowest exhibition ERA (3.38) in the majors, while leading the American League with 126 runs (6.63 average) in 19 games — second in the big leagues to Colorado’s 141 in 22 games.
Individually, Fausto Carmona ranked second in the Cactus League with a 0.69 ERA — one run on five hits in 13 innings — while Justin Masterson ranked second with 16 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings.
Travis Hafner entered Tuesday with hits in his last seven games — .364 (8-for-22) with two homers and 10 RBIs — and had reached base safely in all nine of his games.
Roundin’ third
The Indians will enjoy their only off-day of the exhibition season today. They resume Cactus League play Thursday against the Mariners at Goodyear Ballpark. David Huff (1-1, 6.57) vs. Felix Hernandez (1-0, 0.00). WTAM 1100-AM (delayed 8 p.m.).
Brewers (12-9) 10, Indians (12-6-2) 2
Hits
- Right-hander Carlos Carrasco was the only Cleveland pitcher that didn’t allow a run. He worked five scoreless innings and allowed two hits and two walks, while striking out four.
- Third baseman Mark Grudzielanek was the only Indian with more than one hit. He went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.
- Left fielder Trevor Crowe made two sliding catches, one in foul territory to end the second inning with a runner on base.
Misses
- Jeremy Sowers’ second exhibition outing was disastrous. The left-hander allowed seven runs (six earned) on five hits and two walks in one inning. He served up a home run to No. 9 hitter George Kottaras on the first pitch of the second inning, then allowed the next two hitters to reach on singles before getting the hook.
- Reliever Jensen Lewis got similar treatment after coming on for Sowers. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on four hits over two innings.
- Closer Chris Perez was shaky in the ninth. He got the first out of the inning, then walked two straight before allowing an RBI single.
Streak stopped
Travis Hafner went 0-for-4, first time in the last eight games that he did not hit safely. Hafner had reached base in all nine of his games prior to Tuesday.
Attendance
3,552 at Goodyear Ballpark.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
