NEOSI Indians Spring Training Roundup: March 23rd

The following is the NEOSI Indians Spring Training Roundup for March 23rd:

*The Tribe defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday by a final score of 6-1. Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Yonder Alonso, Bradley Zimmer, and Tyler Naquin all brought home runs in some form during the contest. The offense was working well and continued to show glimpses of how dangerous it can be. Specifically, Alonso’s spring has opened everyone’s eyes to what he can be for Cleveland this season in terms of a power bat.

Mike Clevinger earned the victory on the mound for the Tribe, going 5.2 innings pitched and striking out seven batters along the way. Patrick Corbin picked up the loss for Arizona in the exhibition game.

*When the Indians welcome in the Kansas City Royals on April 6th for their 25th home opener, there will be plenty to celebrate enjoy while at the ballpark.

For starters, a party out in the right field district begins at 2pm. Pre-game ceremonies for the AL Central pennant, historic 22-game winning streak, Corey Kluber’s Cy Young award win and Silver Slugger awards for Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez will take place before the game. Then, Olympic Gold Medalist and Rocky River, Ohio native Red Gerard will throw out the first pitch and the Ohio State University Athletic Band will play the national anthem. The armed forces will also present the colors at Progressive Field.

*Tribe starter Ryan Merritt will head to the disabled list to begin the 2018 season with multiple nagging injuries, Akron-Beacon Journal’s Ryan Lewis wrote on Friday. Merritt had been dealing with a left knee injury that Cleveland manager Terry Francona believes played a part in the left shoulder soreness Merritt is now dealing with.

In five spring training appearances in 2018, Merritt went 1-3 with a 9.31 ERA for a less than impressive tune-up for the regular season. But luckily due to his injury, Merritt avoids a trip to the waiver wire due to a lack of minor-league options.

*Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes also penned that Mike Napoli is mulling his next career decision on Friday. Napoli was told by the Indians on Thursday that he would be released with no chance to make the big-league roster due to a logjam already at first base/designated hitter. But now the slugger must make a decision on whether he wants to sign a minor-league deal with the Indians.

After a renaissance of a year in 2016 with Cleveland, Napoli had his fair share of struggles at the plate in 2017 during his run with the Texas Rangers.