BALTIMORE — The Indians have recalled first baseman Bobby Bradley from Class AAA Columbus, while designating Jake Bauers for assignment.
In another move, they selected the contract of right-hander Blake Parker from Columbus and optioned right-hander Eli Morgan to Columbus.
Bradley, after collecting four hits in a doubleheader for Columbus on Friday, was told he was getting promoted to the Indians. Many felt he should have won the first base job outright over Bauers coming out of spring training, but the Indians went with Bauers mainly because he was out of options.
Now with the offense failing, and DH Franmil Reyes on the injured list with a strained left oblique muscle, Bradley will get the chance he’s been seeking.
Bauers was DFA’d after hitting .190 (19-for-100) with two homers and six RBI in 43 games.
Bradley hit .196 (19-for-97) with nine homers and 19 RBI at Columbus. He still has a swing-and-miss problem, striking out in 36% of his at-bats (35-for-97). In his last four games with the Clippers, he hit .333 (5-for-15) with two homers and three RBI.
Parker, who could have opted out of his minor league deal with the Indians on Tuesday, was a spring training invitee. He didn’t make the big league club, but flourished at Columbus. Parker, 35, didn’t allow a run in 12 scoreless innings, striking out 15 and walking five. He retired the last 14 batters he faced before being promoted.
It seems like a long time since Bradley has been in the big leagues. He made his big league debut in 2019. It lasted 17 games and he hasn’t been back until today.
When asked if this felt like he was making his debut all over again, Bradley said, “It definitely is. All the excitement is coming back. Getting in front of a big crowd at a big stadium again. It definitely feels like another debut.”
Bradley, the Indians third round pick in 2014, has hit 156 homers in the minors. He’s hit one with the Indians.
“Bobby has been hitting better lately,” said manager Terry Francona. “When he first went back, it was a struggle for him. We kind of understood that. We talked to him in spring training and it was kind of a bitter pill for him to swallow.
“Part of it is you want to see how guys handle adversity, but we also knew it could happen. The good part of it is he’s been hitting with power and swung the bat better lately.”
Bradley hit .303 (10-for-33) with five doubles, two homers and 11 RBI in spring training. Bauers hit .211 (8-for-37) with one homers and two RBI.
The Indians acquired Bauers from Tampa Bay in a three-team deal with Seattle at the winter meetings in 2018. They sent Yandy Diaz to the Rays for Bauers.
“To be bluntly honest, when a guy is out of options, you need to take that into consideration as an organization,” said Francona. “It was a difficult conversation with Bobby for sure, but organizationally I think everyone felt it was the right thing to do.
“I don’t doubt that Jake is going to hit. I just don’t know if it was going to be with us. Sometimes guys figure it out on their second or third team. . .or a little later in their career. Jake has the ability to be a good hitter. I don’t doubt at some point somebody will see that.”
Bauers, who spent last year at the alternate site, played 160 games with the Indians. He hit .218 (103-for-472) with 14 homers and 49 RBI.
Francona said Morgan, who made his big league debut in a windstorm on May 28, was returned to Columbus so he can continue to start.
A variety of Cleveland Indians face masks available online today. (Fanatics.com)
New Indians face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity.
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