Indians add Delabar, Banwart to spring camp
CLEVELAND -- The Indians added a pair of arms to the Spring Training mix on Friday, signing right-handers Steve Delabar and Travis Banwart to Minor League contracts that include invitations to attend camp with the Major League club.
Indians pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training at the team's headquarters in Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 12, with the first workout slated for Feb. 14. Delabar and Banwart represent the first pitchers added to the spring fold as non-roster players. Cleveland currently has seven non-roster invitees, along with its 40-man roster.
Catchers Erik Kratz and Guillermo Quiroz, first baseman Chris Colabello, utilityman Michael Martinez and outfielder Daniel Robertson are also on the Indians' list of non-roster players who will be on hand this spring. Cleveland has yet to announce its non-roster invitees from within the club's farm system.
Delabar, 33, has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors and was an American League All-Star in 2013 with the Blue Jays. That season, the right-hander turned in a 3.22 ERA and had 82 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. Last year, Delabar split his time between Triple-A Louisville (2.62 ERA in 17 games) and Cincinnati (seven games) before being granted his release at the end of June. He has had stints with the Mariners, Blue Jays and Reds in his career.
Banwart, 30, was in the Indians' system in 2014 but then went on to play in parts of three seasons in the Korean Baseball League. The righty had a 3.13 ERA in 16 starts for Triple-A Columbus before being sold to the SK Wyverns of the KBL in '14. In 194 career Minor League games, Banwart has a 4.11 ERA in parts of eight seasons in the A's and Indians' systems.