The youth movement is on in Cleveland.
Veteran catcher Mike Redmond was designated for assignment Saturday with catcher/platoon player Chris Gimenez being recalled from AAA Columbus.
A career .287 hitter, in limited appearances this season Redmond only batted .206. He spent most of the year as Fausto Carmona’s personal catcher, and also filled in for the struggling Lou Marson at times. Since star prospect Carlos Santana was called up in June Redmond has only played in three games, and none since July 2.
In Columbus Gimenez was hitting .276 with an OPS of .805. Through 52 games he had hit 10 doubles, nine home runs and driven in 32.
Last season Gimenez was given his first taste of the big leagues during which he played first, catcher, right and left field. While he defense was quality (only one error in 47 games) his offense lacked the polish the Indians were hoping. In 111 at-bats Gimenez only hit .144 with an OPS of .499; he hit two doubles, three home runs, drove in seven and had more than two strikeouts for each walk.
The Indians had the option of recalling Lou Marson, but his numbers in Columbus have not improved significantly from those he was putting up while in Cleveland. In 21 games at AAA he has batted .162, but has shown some improvement in leveling out his strikeout-to-walk ratio.
His struggles are a benefit to Gimenez who will get his chance to fill in for the Tribe right away.
Original Story:
http://www.wahooblues.com/2010/07/10/...
