Last week’s report that Johnny Damon would be added to the Indians’ roster when they opened a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago has been confirmed:
#Indians drop infielder Jose Lopez from roster to make room for Johnny Damon.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) May 1, 2012
Lopez, who had a 25-homer, 96-RBI season for the Mariners just three years ago, had been used sparingly by the Indians, playing in just five games and hitting .190/.190/.381 in 21 plate appearances.
For tonight, at least, Damon will serve as a pinch-hitter; according to baseballpress.com’s lineup page, he is not in Cleveland’s starting lineup, possibly because the White Sox are going with lefthander Chris Sale.
Shelley Duncan, Michael Brantley and Aaron Cunningham are the starting outfielders for the Tribe Tuesday night. Though Damon is 38 and played just 16 games in the outfield last year for the Rays, that’s where he’ll have to get most of his playing time, as Travis Hafner is their everyday DH.
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