The Cleveland Indians are two days away from playing their first real game in almost 10 months, and they will do so without the services of Jake Bauers, James Hoyt, and Jefry Rodriguez. All three have been assigned to the Tribe’s secondary camp at Lake County where they will stay warmed up and ready as part of the team’s 60-man roster when and if more players are needed in a pinch.
Hoyt and Rodriguez will surely be back at some point as the Indians shuffle burned out relievers back and forth in such a weird season. But Jake Bauers’ demotion at least begins to clear up the messy outfield situation, if only a little bit, and it’s unknown when we’ll see him get consistent playing time again.