Cleveland Indians Opening Day Roster Nearly Set

The Cleveland Indians have announced a series of roster moves today that have the Opening Day roster nearly set.

This news, coupled with some roster announcements from over the weekend, have the Tribe’s roster looking like this:

"Rotation: Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, and Trevor BauerBullpen: Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Zach McAllister, Jeff Manship, Joba Chamberlain, Dan Otero, and Ross DetwilerCatchers: Yan Gomes and Roberto PerezInfielders: Carlos Santana, Mike Napoli, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Juan Uribe, and Jose RamirezOutfielders: Rajai Davis, Tyler Naquin, Collin Cowgill, and Marlon Byrd"

There are still two roster moves yet to be made with the fifth rotation spot being the main question. Josh Tomlin hasn’t pitched as well as Cody Anderson this spring, but he has more experience plus signed a two-year extension this past offseason. He has always felt like the favorite for the spot all winter, but we’ve already seen a few surprises (like Detwiler for example) so I wouldn’t rule anything out. 

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The other roster question is what will Terry Francona do with the 25th and final spot? Will he go with an eighth bullpen arm, possibly Tomlin if he loses out on a rotation spot? Or will he go with a fourth bench bat to help out a weakened offense? Could Michael Brantley defy the odds and still make the club?

Odds are against Brantley making the club as he’ll almost certainly begin in the disabled list with Lonnie Chisenhall. Francona and the Tribe also seem content with giving Ramirez some more time in the outfield so that helps in Brantley and Chisenhall’s absence. One would still like to see another position player in the fold though Francona has always been partial to the extra bullpen arm, especially since we don’t know just how long Brantley and Chisenhall will be out. Tribe opening the season missing two of their three starting outfielders is tough.

With Kyle Crockett being optioned to Triple-A Columbus today, the remaining bullpen options are running thin. Tom Gorzelanny will also not make the Tribe’s roster though has said he’ll remain with the club and report to Columbus. The only true relievers still in camp with a shot at making the team appear to be free agent Tommy Hunter (who seems set to begin the season on the disabled list as well) and non-roster invitee Craig Stammens (who has also dealt with some injury issues). This is another reason one shouldn’t rule out both Tomlin and Anderson making the Opening Day roster…

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There also remains the possibility that the Indians fill the last spot with a player not currently with the team. I wouldn’t rule out a trade of some kind or the team grabbing a player that is let go by another club as all teams are facing roster crunches at this stage of camp. Be sure to check back with us at Wahoo’s on First for more breaking Tribe news.