Indians invite two to Big League camp
The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed free agent RHP JOE MARTINEZ and CA BRIAN JEROLOMAN to Minor League contracts with non-roster invitations to Major League camp.
Martinez, 29, spent 2012 in Triple-A Reno where he won 7 straight starts in May/June and made one relief appearance for the Arizona Diamondbacks in April. He spent 2011 in Triple-A Columbus in the Indians organization and was named playoff MVP after recording the win in the Triple-A Championship Game vs. Omaha. He has appeared in 19 Major League games over parts of three seasons since 2009 and owns a career Minor League record of 63-55 with a 3.92 ERA in 190 games (163GS).
Jeroloman, 27, was limited to 43 games in 2012 due to a right knee injury. He has spent his entire pro career to date in the Toronto organization, where he was a 6th round selection in the 2006 First-year Player Draft out of the University of Florida. The excellent defensive back-stop tossed out 44% (18 of 41) of the runners attempting to steal off him in 2012 and was named collegiate Defensive Player-of-the-Year by Louisville Slugger in 2006.