Indians Recall INF Jesus Aguilar and Lefty Pitcher Ryan Merritt From Columbus

The Indians today announced the following roster moves today before the Sunday afternoon game with the Twins.

The team recalled infielder Jesus Aguilar and lefty pitcher Ryan Merritt from AAA Columbus.

Aguilar, 26, spent the entire 2016 season in AAA Columbus, hitting .247 (127-515) with 26 doubles, 30 home runs and 92 RBI in 137 games. He led the organization in home runs (30) and finished 3rd among Indians farmhands in RBI (92). Among International League leaders, Jesus finished 1st in home runs and RBI, 2nd in games (137) and 7th in slugging pct. (.472). In 48 second half games he batted .292 (54-194) with 13 2B, 7 HR & 39 RB in 48 games and for the season batted .292 (45-154) with runners in scoring position. He appeared in 120 games at first base and 2 games at third base for the Clippers.

Merritt, 24, spent most of the season in Columbus, posting a mark of 11-8 with a 3.70 ERA in 24 starts (2CG, 143.1IP, 156H, 59ER, 23BB, 92SO). He finished tied for first among International League pitcher in wins (11), tied for 8th in starts (24), 9th in innings pitched (143.1IP) and 11th in ERA. Over his 10 second half starts he went 6-1 with a 2.72 ERA (59.2IP, 63H, 18ER, 9BB, 39SO). Today marks his third stint with Cleveland in 2016 (5/23-30; 8/4), He made his Major League debut on May 30 vs. Texas (0R, 4.1IP) and for the year with Cleveland has tossed 5.1 scoreless innings over 2 relief outings.

The Major League roster now consists of 36 players.