Indians Make Roster Moves; Send Rundles, Ohka and Edell Down

By Bill Jordan
Updated: March 16, 2009

The Indians made their first moves of the spring on Sunday as they made some cuts to their roster. Three players will be changing locations after the decisions made by manager Eric Wedge and general manager Mark Shapiro. First, pitcher Rich Rundles was optioned to the Columbus Clippers of the International League. Then, pitchers Tomo Ohka and Ryan Edell were assigned to minor league camp.

With some pitching spots still left to be decided on the roster, there was much anticipation in Goodyear Arizona about who were going to be the first players that the Tribe decided not to keep on the big league roster. Obviously, all three of these players have a chance to make it to Cleveland during the season.

Rundles was drafted in the third round of the 1999 draft by the Boston Red Sox, but he never saw any big league action with the team that drafted him. The reliever was signed by the Indians as a free agent during the 2007 off season. The left hander made his debut in the big leagues with the Indians last year and appeared in eight games. Rundles recorded a total of five innings pitched, gave up five hits, one earned run, walked three and had six strikeouts with an ERA of 1.80.

Ohka has seen action in the big leagues in every season since 1999. During his nine year career, the traditional starter has a record of 50-63 in 184 games (172 of which he started). If Ohka pitches one inning this season, he will reach 1,000 for his career. The right hander has given up 1105 hits, 469 earned runs, 283 walks and has struck out 559 batters during his career. He currently holds a lifetime ERA of 4.14 after stints with the Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays.

Left hander Ryan Edell has yet to make his debut in the majors after four years in the minor leagues. Edell has moved up every year that he has been in the minors and last year he appeared in 26 games with the Indians’ AA affiliate the Akron Aeros.

More moves are sure to come for the Tribe in the next week as they look to get ready for opening day.

Bill Jordan is a contributor to BaseballReflections.com. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].