The Guardians announced this afternoon that they’ve selected the contract of infielder Daniel Schneemann. Outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A in order to make room for Schneemann on the club’s active roster. Cleveland also announced that right-hander Eli Morgan had been placed on the 15-day injured list, with veteran Carlos Carrasco activated from the IL in the corresponding move. The Guardians’ 40-man roster is now full after the addition of Schneemann, who steps into the spot vacated by Estevan Florial on Friday.
Schneemann, 27, was selected by Cleveland in the 33rd round of the 2018 draft and has been slowly climbing the minor league level ever since. After getting his first taste of Triple-A action in late 2022, Schneemann posted solid numbers for Columbus last year and has gotten off to a incredible start in his second season starting the the highest level of the minors with a .294/.428/.556 slash line in 223 trips to the plate so far this season. To this point in his career, Schneemann has primarily played shortstop and third base but has also seen at least occasional time at second base, first base, and all three infield spots.
Going forward, Schneemann figures to provide a versatile option off the bench for the Guardians who could help contribute offensively all around the diamond. Cleveland’s offense has been a surprising success story this season, although Brayan Rocchio’s work at shortstop, where he’s slashed just .200/.308/.258 in 50 games this year, has left something to be desired. It’s also possible Schneemann could serve as a right-handed complement to the club’s outfield mix alongside Gabriel Arias as the Guardians run out lefties Steven Kwan and Will Brennan in the outfield corners. Brennan, in particular, has slashed just .200/.200/.350 in limited opportunities against southpaws this year.
Making room for Schneemann on the active roster is Rodriguez, a rookie who made his big league debut last month. He’s appeared in just eight games for the Guardians since being promoted to the majors, and went 3-for-23 with five walks and nine strikeouts during his brief cup of coffee in the majors. The youngster figures to return to the Triple-A level, where he’s slashed a much more impressive .276/.389/.449 this year, to wait for his next opportunity.
Also departing the club’s roster is Morgan, who has been placed on the shelf due to right elbow inflammation. It’s a concerning diagnosis for the 28-year-old, particularly given the fact that he’s in the midst of what has been the best start to a season he’s had in his career to this point. Since transitioning to the bullpen full-time in 2022, Morgan had posted a solid pair of seasons in middle relief for the Guardians with a combined 3.69 ERA (108 ERA+) and 3.73 FIP in 134 innings of work. In ten appearances this season, however, Morgan has pitched to a dazzling 1.64 ERA with a 3.24 FIP. Those excellent numbers belie some concerning peripherals, however, as Morgan has struck out just 15.6% of batters faced while walking an elevated 11.1%. That’s a far cry from his numbers the past two years, when he struck out a combined 26.5% of opponents while walking 6.7%.
Replacing Morgan on the club’s active roster is Carrasco. The veteran righty has been on the shelf since mid-May due to an acute neck spasm, but now returns to Cleveland after only a minimum stay on the injured list. The 37-year-old righty returned to the club on a minor league deal this offseason after three seasons in New York and managed to earn a spot on the club’s Opening Day roster in Spring Training as their fifth starter. The righty has struggled through nine starts with the club this year, pitching to a 5.16 ERA and 5.33 FIP in 45 1/3 innings, but nonetheless figures to slot back into the club’s rotation mix alongside Logan Allen, Tanner Bibee, Triston McKenzie, and Ben Lively.
It’s still morning in America.
Is this guy any good…?
I guess we’ll Schneeman.
He was impressive in the Guardians spring training chess tournament… That was a real thing lol.
The tournament was pretty cool though haha
Tough to be a RH platoon compliment when he bats LH.
That caught my eye as well. Not a switch hitter either. It’s like CLE has a vending machine in the minors that dispenses utility guys (most of whom bat left), but none of them can hit worth a damn at the major league level.
If he was RH he likely was up weeks ago.
Glad he gets a look at the bid leagues, but just curious who looses their spot on the 40 for Gavin Williams now. And even more curious at the end of the year when you have to re-add Trevor Stephan
Is Giménez hurt? 2 days in a row out of the lineup?
Yeah, what’s up with that? This also gives us two straight days of Arias looking hopeless at the plate.
Yes, but allegedly minor.
Don’t worry stiffs like arias won’t be with cleveland at end of year. Morgan and Karin check as well.
I’d imagine Williams would take Avila’s spot on the active and 40 man rosters, in which case Carrasco would be the long relief guy.
Or they could keep Avila and move on from Carrasco, but I imagine it would be one or the other.
Carrasco has to go. Nice gesture on Indians’ part to sign him but not if you want to play ball in October.
Indianfan–Pains me to say this, but concur.
Anything that takes bats away from fry is not good imo…
Hopefully the ABs he’ll be taking from will be Rocchio and Arias who are both hitting around .200
Gimenez has soreness after being hit. Vogt wanted to give him 2 days off in a row.
Love seeing guys who have persevered in Minors this long get a shot. Hopefully he takes advantage and makes most of opportunity.
His nickname has to be Frosty. Why? Varum, du sagst?
Because Schneemann is German for Snowman.
Hope his bat isn’t cold….
“Warum, fragst Du?”, followed by the explanation, would be the correct expression. But you’ve got the grammar right by including the comma behind the interrogative.
Snowman played SS at BYU from 2016 to 2018. No eye-popping offensive numbers but solid defense. Saw him a couple of times when our university played the Mormons out of conference and always chuckled at his name.
Who would have thought the Germans would have a lot of grammar rules…
I think they selected him to give the equipment guy a big job of putting his name on his jersey!
Finally! Rodriguez has been useless at the plate.
Arias should have been the one sent down. Rodriquez hasn’t been great but you have to give the guy time to acclimate to major league pitching. Schneeman can easily replace Arias and should have.