The Indians have selected catcher Beau Taylor, designated right-hander James Hoyt for assignment and optioned outfielder Daniel Johnson, Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com reports.
Taylor, formerly an Athletics prospect whom the Indians signed to a minor league contract last offseason, is up as insurance as the the Indians await word on Roberto Perez. The Indians’ starting backstop and one of their most valuable contributors a year ago, Perez is dealing with right shoulder soreness at the moment. They should know more on his condition Wednesday, but for now, they’re down to Taylor and former Red Sox starter Sandy Leon as their top two catchers.
Since he debuted in the majors with the Astros in 2016, the 33-year-old Hoyt has amassed 80 innings – including 8 1/3 during his first season in Cleveland in 2019 – and put up a 4.16 ERA/3.92 FIP with 11.7 K/9 and 2.92 BB/9. Notably, Hoyt carries a rather impressive track record in Triple-A, where he has logged a 3.09 ERA with 12.1 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9 over 218 2/3 frames. And considering Hoyt has another minor league option remaining, it wouldn’t be particularly surprising to see another team take a chance on him.
Interesting trivia. Hoyt was part of the trade that bought Foltynewicz to Atlanta.
Interesting transations: Taylor was DFA’d by Oakland last year, claimed by Toronto, played one game for TOR, DFA’d by TOR, claimed by Oakland again, played one game for OAK, DFA’d by OAK.
He also has 5 career hits, 2 of which are home runs
Hoyt was DFA’d when the Sandy Leon trade happened.
Ouch, slim pickings at catcher.
So they went with Beau Taylor instead of Bo Naylor.