The Indians choose as bowler Oscar Mercado, per different reporters (including Zack Meisel of the Athletic). This is a bit of a surprise, as Mercado was a candidate to play a role in Cleveland’s uncertain outfield mix.
After a productive rookie in 2019, Mercado opened the 2020 season as the Indians’ midfielder. However, the speedster fell flat and hit just .128 / .174 / .174 with a single home race over 93 plates. That fight sent Mercado to the alternative training ground in mid-August; Bradley Zimmer and the since gone Delino DeShields Jr. and Greg Allen got the playing time at the position on the piece.
It looks like the current Mercado breakdown is paving the way for Zimmer to pick up most of the playing time in the middle in the early season. The 28-year-old Zimmer has just a .224 / .300 / .349 line in 510 MLB records. Short stop Amed Rosario also got some work in the grass in Spring Training and it looks like he will get representatives in the center in the regular season. Outlook Daniel Johnson may be an option at some point, but he was also elected earlier this week. Jake Bauers, Jordan Luplow, Josh Naylor, Harold Ramírez, Franmil Reyes and Eddie Rosario are all in their 40s, but everyone in that group fits better in the corner.
In the news of other Indians, line 5 was compiled Trevor Stephan will make the opening day schedule, MLB.com’s Mandy Bell was among the things to note. The 25-year-old judge was selected from the Yankees organization. He will have to stick to the active roster (or on the MLB list for injured) all season, otherwise he will have to be placed on waivers and then offered to New York again.