After spending the last week training in Goodyear, Ariz., Johnny Damon was set to join the team on Tuesday, and a move needed to be made. Unfortunately for Jose Lopez, he was the most expendable party, and the infielder will be released, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
↵Damon, 38, adds much-needed outfield depth on the heels of Shelly Duncan's recent slump. The left-handed hitter spent last season with Tampa Bay, batting .261 with 16 home runs and a .743 OPS. Damon agreed to an incentive-laden contract that will pay him a base salary of $1.25 million this year.
↵Lopez will be free to join any team that will have him. He was batting .190 in 21 at-bats for the Indians this season.
↵As for a right-handed bat and/or answer at first base, that will have to come later, although with Matt LaPorta raking in AAA once again, it just might be time to kick the tires on the former ballyhooed prospect and centerpiece of the C.C. Sabathia deal.