Cleveland Indians: Rajai Davis survives cuts, could make final roster

Cleveland Indians fans may be seeing Rajai Davis on the Opening Day roster this season after the veteran survived a wave of roster cuts on Monday.

The Cleveland Indians continue to cut down the giant spring training roster as Opening Day approaches. Just over one week away!

The team made a great deal of moves on Monday with 11 players receiving new assignments or being let go. The most notable move was the release of Melvin Upton Jr.

The veteran outfielder came to camp as a low-risk high-reward option, and it appeared he had a decent shot to make the team. That was until Rajai Davis rejoined the team.

Davis didn’t come in and dominate, but his history with the club and Terry Francona may have been enough for him to gain an edge. Also, he did better at the plate this spring compared to Upton.

Davis: .242/.265/.273 in 33 at-bats

Upton Jr.: .189/.250/.297 in 37 at-bats

More from Away Back Gone

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

Surviving the first wave of cuts doesn’t mean Davis is destined to make the roster, but his chances certainly improved.

As of right now, the outfield consists of Michael Brantley, Brandon Guyer, Bradley Zimmer, Lonnie Chisenhall, Greg Allen and Tyler Naquin.

Brantley and Guyer are still working their way back from injuries, and the club may decide to have Allen start in Triple-A so he can get more playing time.

That leaves a potential Opening Day group of Chisenhall, Naquin and Zimmer. Davis fits perfectly into the equation, at least in the eyes of the organization.

A 40-man roster spot is set to open with the release of either Erik Gonzalez or Giovanny Urshela, and Ryan Merritt may also be losing his spot as well if he doesn’t make the bullpen.

A spot will be there if needed, but as with most things we have discussed this spring, this decision likely depends upon the health of Brantley, and even Guyer in this specific situation.

Next: Could Eric Haase actually be the future catcher?

If either Brantley or Guyer isn’t healthy, I fully expect to see Davis on Opening Day. And given the way the injuries have played out in the past, it is doubtful that both are ready to go next week in Seattle.