The Indians have designated Zach Walters and Giovanni Soto for assignment, as Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal tweets.
Soto, a left-hander, appeared in six games for the Indians in 2015 but spent the bulk of the year in Triple-A Columbus. In 46 Triple-A appearances (including one start), Soto posted a 3.69 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9. The soon-to-be 25-year-old is not to be confused with veteran catcher Geovany Soto, who is currently with the Angels.
Walters, 26, has appeared in 42 games for the Tribe over the last two years and has 82 big league appearances to his credit. The left fielder/shortstop came to the Indians in a 2014 deadline deal involving Asdrubal Cabrera. After belting seven homers in the final weeks of the 2014 season, Walters’ power did not re-emerge at the major league level in 2015.
As the MLBTR DFA Tracker shows, Soto and Walters will now join a long list of players caught in the ten-day waiting period.
Justin Broja
The catcher Giovanni Soto? Cause I thought his name was spelled geovany.
J32
The pitcher, not the catcher
TheBlueMeanie
Different player.
Phillies2017
Not a fan of the Soto DFA solely based on the fact that he’s a 25 year old lefty who’s stuff could be solid in the pen in the future.
Walters could eventually become a good bench piece with versatility and power potential.
triberulz
Not surprised Soto & Walters were pitiful this spring. Two more failed trades for the Indians
Peralta & A. Cabrera.
Samuel
They hit on about one of every four trades. And even then…….
BoldyMinnesota
You got yan Gomes for esmil Rogers.
Samuel
You can thank Francona for that one. He got Milke Aviles on that trade as well.
stymeedone
When your name is as common as Giovanni Soto, you can’t expect to be unique. He’s lucky he was the only one on his team.
gomerhodge71
Angels should get Soto just so they can have both of them.
RyanR
Yeah then Soto can pitch to Soto.
angelsinthetroutfield
Angels should take a hard look at Walters. Decent power potential coupled with the ability to play on the left side of the infield as well as corner OF makes him an interesting bench piece. Plus it would bring Zach closers to home (Las Vegas) so maybe he’d prefer the move. Seems like a player that fills needs in the org
bartoloshomie
Seconded