Cleveland Indians
Rookie Yandy Diaz took advantage of an injury to second baseman Jason Kipnis (strained rotator cuff) to begin the season as the starting third baseman.
Jose Ramirez will shift to second base from third while Kipnis rehabs.
Diaz, 25, gets his first shot at the major leagues after hitting a combined .318/.408/.446 (batting average/on-base percentage/ slugging percentage) last season with nine home runs and 11 stolen bases in 121 games with Class AAA Columbus (Ohio) and Class AA Akron (Ohio).
The Indians planned to move Diaz to the outfield this season because his path to a starting job is blocked by Ramirez.
“If you look at Yandy’s last year, we were trying to figure out a place for his bat,” manager Terry
Francona said. “That’s why he was going to the outfield. It’s not a kid who got 45 at-bats and never hit. He has been a good hitter.”
Designated hitter Carlos Santana is expected to play right field for the first time in his eightyear career during the interleague series at the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 7-9 in place of
Lonnie Chisenhall (strained right shoulder). Catcher Roberto Perez agreed to a four-year, $9 million contract that includes club options for 2021 and 2022. He had been eligible for salary arbitration after this season.