Indians promote UTL Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Columbus 

CLEVELAND, OH - The Cleveland Indians today announced the following transaction relative to the 2019 Major League roster:

Recalled UTL ANDREW VELAZQUEZ (#17) from AAA Columbus.

Velazquez, 25, was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on July 3 and assigned to the Triple-A Columbus roster, batting .244 (11-for-45) with 4 2B, 1 3B and 5 RBI in 12 games. He has been on the Injured List three times between the two organizations due to left thumb and right hamstring injuries, the most recent of which occurred, August 17-30. Prior to his acquisition, he split 2019 between the IL, AAA Durham and Tampa Bay, batting .271 (35-for-129) at Durham with 9 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR and 16 RBI in 34 games. The switch-hitter was with the Rays, May 6-29, appearing in 10 games. The Bronx, NY native and utility specialist has appeared at five different positions in 2019 (2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF) and appeared in 6 games in the postseason for International League champion Columbus (7-for-27, .259, 2 HR, 2 RBI).

2B JASON KIPNIS felt a recurrence of right wrist and hand discomfort on a swing and miss during Sunday’s game vs. Minnesota (Sept. 15). On Monday, he underwent imaging, which showed a fracture of his hook of the hamate bone. The club is in the process of coordinating a follow-up with Dr. Thomas Graham, but he is expected to require surgical intervention. The typical time frame for return to Major League game activity is four-to-six weeks.