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Jordan Stephens

Outrighted: Edwards, Stephens, Payano, St. John

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As is common early each September, Major League clubs designated a slew of players for assignment over the past few days in order to create roster space for various September call-ups. Several players have already been claimed off waivers today, but we’ll track those who’ve cleared waivers and been outrighted to a minor league affiliate here…

  • The Indians announced that right-handers Jon Edwards and Jordan Stephens went unclaimed on waivers and were both sent outright to Triple-A Columbus. The 31-year-old Edwards pitched to a strong 2.70 ERA through 16 2/3 innings with Cleveland’s big league club over the past two seasons, but he did so with a less-encouraging 15-to-10 K/BB ratio. Edwards averaged better than 11 punchouts per nine innings with the Indians’ top affiliate in Columbus this season but also issued 4.8 walks per nine frames and logged a 4.22 ERA there. The Indians claimed Stephens from the White Sox back on June 15, but he allowed 33 runs, served up nine homers and issued 14 walks in 28 2/3 innings in Columbus.
  • Rangers right-hander Pedro Payano and left-hander Locke St. John cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Nashville, per a team announcement. Payano, 24, narrowly kept his ERA south of 5.00 in 84 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this year, but the pitching-needy Rangers called upon him for a handful of appearances in spite of those struggles. He logged 22 innings in the big leagues but limped to a 5.73 ERA with nearly as many walks (15) as strikeouts (17). The 26-year-old St. John dominated through 29 2/3 innings in Double-A (1.52 ERA, 42-to-13 K/BB ratio), but he surrendered 19 runs in 19 2/3 innings in Triple-A in addition to struggling through seven MLB appearances.

Indians Activate & Option Bradley Zimmer, Designate Jordan Stephens

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The Indians announced that outfielder Bradley Zimmer has been activated from the 60-day injured list. He was optioned down to Triple-A, where had been playing on a rehab assignment.

To create a 40-man roster opening, the Cleveland organization designated righty Jordan Stephens for assignment. He’ll have to be exposed to waivers since trades are not permissible at this stage of the season.

A former top prospect, the 26-year-old Zimmer has missed the entire season owing to shoulder surgery. He’s also looking to bounce back from a brutal 2018 season at the plate. The athletic outfielder stumbled to a .226/.281/.330 slash in 114 MLB plate appearances in what turned out to be a lost campaign.

It’s far too early to draw any conclusions, but it’s promising to see Zimmer hitting well in his initial action in the upper minors. He has a .333/.412/.600 batting line with a pair of long balls in a dozen rehab contests. Whether that’ll carry over to the bigs — and when he’ll get a chance to test himself — remains to be seen.

As for Stephens, who’s nearing his 27th birthday, there have been some ups and downs this year. He was bludgeoned at Triple-A to open the year and ended up being claimed by the Indians from the White Sox. After a bounceback stretch at the Double-A level, Stephens again ran into the International League buzzsaw. All told, he has allowed 17 home runs and 66 earned runs in just 66 1/3 innings at the highest level of the minors this season.

Indians Claim Jordan Stephens

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Per a team release, the Indians have claimed righty Jordan Stephens off waivers from the White Sox. Stephens, 26, had a rough go at AAA-Charlotte this season, pitching to an 8.60 ERA/6.29 FIP while being torched for eight homers in 37 2/3 IP. He’ll reportedly be assigned to the club’s Double-A affiliate in Akron, OH.

Stephens has worked mostly as a starter to this point in his career, though FanGraphs’ Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen point to his “premium raw spin” on a 60-grade curveball as justification for a move to a bullpen, perhaps in a “multi-inning” relief role. Stephens’ fastball grades out as below big-league average, with most reports touting his solid command of a big-league-caliber cutter.

By latest count, Cleveland stands at a man over the maximum 40 on their extended roster, so a corresponding move would figure to come in short order. The club also must make room for righty Mike Clevinger, who’ll return from the 60-day IL to start Monday’s game at Texas.

Players Added To The 40-Man Roster

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Tonight marks the deadline for players to be added to their respective organizations’ 40-man rosters. Over the nine hours, there’ll be a flurry of moves, ranging from minor trades (like the one the Indians and Rays made yesterday), waiver claims and players being designated for assignment or outrighted. Each will be made to clear room for players who need protection from this year’s Rule 5 Draft. As a reminder, players who signed at 18 years of age or younger and have five professional seasons are eligible, as are players who signed at 19 or older and have four professional seasons under their belts.

Here’s a rundown of players who’ve been added to their respective 40-man rosters (which will be updated throughout the day)…

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