The Indians are heading into Spring Training with two rotation jobs up for grabs and four candidates: Mike Clevinger, Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin and Ryan Merritt. This week, MLB.com has been examining their respective situations and chances of winning the job. Today: Merritt.
CLEVELAND -- Ryan Merritt has tasted the Major League dream. The left-hander answered the call at a moment's notice and performed well in important late-season moments. He has pitched in a raucous playoff environment and sipped champagne in an American League pennant celebration.
Mention those moments and Merritt -- slender in build and soft-spoken by nature -- allows himself the slightest smile.