Indians trade Rzepczynski to Padres for minor leaguer

By RYAN LEWIS

Akron Beacon Journal

The Indians traded left-handed relief pitcher Marc Rzepczynski to the San Diego Padres for switch-hitting outfielder Abraham Almonte just before the 4 p.m. deadline on Friday.

Rzepczynski this season has a 4.43 ERA and a 2.98 FIP in 45 appearances for the Indians. He was one of the Indians’ most-used arms out of the bullpen, leading the team with 45 appearances entering Friday night.

This move comes after the Indians this week traded outfielders David Murphy and Brandon Moss to the Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively. Murphy, Moss and Rzepczynski all were eligible for free agency after the 2016 season. The Indians also acquired minor-league pitcher Jayson Aquino from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.

The Indians’ lone left-handed pitcher on the active roster is now Michael Roth, who was called up primarily as depth. He was a starter in Triple-A. Nick Hagadone, meanwhile, underwent elbow surgery recently and is out 6-to-9 months.

Along with closer Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw and Zach McAllister will continue to handle most of the set-up duties, as Jeff Manship, Austin Adams and Ryan Webb carve out their roles as middle relievers. Roth is then the seventh and only left-handed reliever.

In a corresponding move, the Indians selected the contract of outfielder Jerry Sands and recalled him from Triple-A Columbus. Sands has hit .375 with a home run and six RBIs in 24 at-bats with the Indians this season. After trading Moss, the Indians called up Lonnie Chisenhall. Both players could see time at various spots.

Almonte, 26, has spent time at the major-league level in each of the past three seasons but hasn’t stayed for long. He has a career .233 batting average with five home runs and 28 RBIs in 115 games. In Triple-A this season, he’s hitting .275 with four home runs and 35 RBIs.

“Abraham’s an athletic outfielder that can play all three spots, has some major-league experience and we think he will be able to contribute for us at some point this year in the major leagues and help to improve our outfield depth,” Antonetti said.

Almonte is being assigned to Triple-A Columbus.

The Indians on Friday also activated starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (shoulder surgery) from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A. To help facilitate those moves, pitcher Toru Murata was out-righted off the 40-man roster and onto the Triple-A roster.