Cleveland options OF Ben Gamel, recalls top prospect Sam Hentges

Cleveland has optioned outfielder Ben Gamel to Triple-A. The team signed Gamel in early February to be a potential cog in its attempts to piece together replacement-level play in centerfield, but the 29-year-old has struggled at the dish so far this season. Through 11 games, Gamel has hit just .071/.235/.143 across a minimal 17 plate appearances. He has largely served as a late-game replacement in center to starter Amed Rosario.

Without Gamel, Cleveland is down to a three-man bench. Jordan Luplow is the only backup in center to Rosario, who himself is learning to play the position for the first time this season. Luplow has limited experience in center, but he has yet to appear there this season.

Southpaw Sam Hentges has been recalled from Cleveland’s alternate site to take Gamel’s roster spot, per MLB.com’s Mandy Bell. The slender 6-foot-6 lefty will make his major league debut the first time he gets into a game. When he last saw competitive game action, Hentges tossed 128 2/3 innings in Double-A with a 5.11 ERA. He is the Indians 13th-ranked prospect via FanGraphs, while Baseball America has him as the 23rd-ranked prospect in Cleveland’s system.