Indians designate Andrew Velazquez for assignment

In order to make room the newly signed Domingo Santana, the Cleveland Indians have designated infielder Andrew Velazquez for assingment.

The Cleveland Indians needed to make room on their 40-man roster and they have done just that. Andrew Velazquez has been designated for assignment after the signing of Domingo Santana became official.

This roster move is not entirely surprising. The fact Andrew Velazquez was still on the roster was the surprising part in all of this. Cleveland had to make room for the more productive Domingo Santana at a position of need, outfield. Cleveland does not necessarily need someone like Velazquez at this time. Cesar Hernandez will be Cleveland’s staring second baseman and the Tribe need to evaluate all of their options in the outfield. This left Velazquez as the odd man out and obvious DFA candidate.

Velazquez does not have much value and is far from a productive hitter. The 25-year old infielder has appeared in 28 career games in MLB has struggled at the plate. Veleazuez has a .152/.222/.242/.465 slash line in 36 plate appearances. Of his five total hits, three are doubles.

Velazquez has a better track record in the minors, a .270/.333/.396/.729 slash line with 105 doubles, 43 triples, and 40 home runs. While Andrew Velazquez has hit in the minors, there is no guarantee that it will translate to the Major League level.