The Cleveland Indians designated veteran reliever Joba Chamberlain for assignment Monday, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Chamberlain provided a statement on Twitter:
Chamberlain has appeared in 20 games and posted a 2.25 ERA. His ERA isn't a true indicator of his actual performance, though. According to FanGraphs, the 30-year-old had a 3.82 FIP and a 4.25 xFIP. His 4.95 walks per nine innings were also highest on the team among relievers with at least 10 innings pitched.
Nightengale reported Cleveland also designated Tom Gorzelanny for assignment, with T.J. House and Mike Clevinger joining the 25-man roster. It's unlikely a coincidence that the Indians made these moves only a few days after their 19-inning win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
Having exhausted all of his bullpen options, manager Terry Francona had no other choice but to bring on starting pitcher Trevor Bauer, who pitched the final five innings. As a result, the Indians had to start Zach McAllister in place of Bauer the following day.
Clevinger and House are both more equipped for a long relief role or an emergency start, depending on the situation.
Another team is likely to add Chamberlain off waivers or wait for him to become a free agent and then sign him. Both MLB.com's Bryan Hoch and the New York Daily News' Mark Feinsand argued for a reunion in the Big Apple:
While he's no longer the dominant flamethrower he was in his first two years with the New York Yankees, Chamberlain is still a productive MLB reliever.
Following a dreadful 2015 season in which he allowed five earned runs in six games with the Kansas City Royals, Chamberlain has done more than enough to warrant getting another chance in the league.
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