Tribe lands another lefty with Detwiler signing
Napoli passes physical, 1-year deal nearly complete
CLEVELAND -- The Indians continued to stockpile left-handed pitching help Tuesday, adding Ross Detwiler to the fold on a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to attend Spring Training with the big league club.
Detwiler joined Cleveland one day after the team also inked lefties Tom Gorzelanny and Joe Thatcher to similar contracts. All three will come to camp with the Tribe as non-roster invitees with a chance to compete for a spot in the Indians' bullpen. Cleveland's top two lefty relievers on the 40-man roster are youngsters Kyle Crockett and Giovanni Soto.
Detwiler, who will turn 30 in March, posted a 7.25 ERA in 41 games (seven starts) between stints with the Rangers and Braves last season. Within that rough overall showing, though, Detwiler held left-handed hitters to a .234 average and .660 OPS. For his career, the veteran of eight Major League seasons has limited lefties to a .233 (.615 OPS) showing.
In 173 career games, including 76 starts, Detwiler has gone 21-37 with a 4.20 ERA in tours with the Nationals, Rangers and Braves. In his career as a reliever, Detwiler has posted a 3.98 ERA in 97 appearances, compared to a 4.27 ERA as a starter.
According to CBSSports.com, Detwiler would earn a base salary of $1 million if he reaches the Majors with the Indians, who have also included $1.5 million in incentives in his deal.
Worth noting
• The Indians have also released first baseman Chris Johnson, who was designated for assignment Thursday to vacate a roster spot for outfielder Rajai Davis. Johnson (acquired from Atlanta in the Aug. 7 trade last season that sent Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn to the Braves) is owed $7.5 million in 2016, plus $9 million in '17 and a $1 million buyout for '18.
• Free-agent first baseman Mike Napoli passed his physical with the Indians, clearing the way for his one-year contract. The move is expected to be made official within the next week. Cleveland is still working through the subsequent transaction to add Napoli to the 40-man roster.