Among a handful of options, none of which were or should have been Dallas Keuchel, the Cleveland Indians decided upon 25-year-old fireballer Jefry Rodriguez as Saturday’s replacement for the fallen Mike Clevinger.
The righty was not the headliner of the trade that sent Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals. That honor went to toolsy-but-raw outfielder Daniel Johnson.
Rodriguez was seen as a potentially impactful piece for the Indians bullpen, and a fringe contender in spring training. He was ultimately optioned down early on in spring. Due to Clevinger’s injury, the youngster has been re-summoned perhaps much earlier than thought.