Indians announce Major League coaching staff additions

October 31st, 2019

CLEVELAND, OH - The Cleveland Indians today announced the following transactions relative to the 2020 Major League Coaching Staff:

Named BRIAN SWEENEY Major League Bullpen Coach.

Named RUBEN NIEBLA Major League Assistant Pitching Coach.

Sweeney, 44, has been a member of the Major League coaching staff the last two seasons since joining the organization prior to the 2018 campaign. In his previous role, Brian complied and decimated advance scouting reports and statistical data for the Major League staff and has been a key contributor to the success and development of the club’s current Major League pitchers. The White Plains, NY native is in his sixth season of instruction after pitching at the professional level for 18 seasons from 1996-2013.

Niebla, 47, has spent the last seven seasons as the club’s Minor League Pitching Coordinator, completing his 19th year in the organization in 2019. This past season bore witness to several Player Development success stories, among them Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac combining to make 31 starts at the Major League level while posting a 3.32 ERA and James Karinchak debuting in just his third professional season. The El Centro, CA native was a Major League staff assistant in 2010 and Pitching Coach of the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, 2011-12. 

Additionally, with the conclusion of the 2019 MLB Postseason, RHP TYLER CLIPPARD, INF RYAN FLAHERTY and OF YASIEL PUIG are now free agents. The 40-man roster consists of 37 players with seven players on the 60-day Injured List.