Indians ink veteran infielder Brad Miller

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- When the Indians learned Friday that both Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor would need to start the 2019 season on the injured list, the front office immediately started looking for available middle infielders. On Sunday, the Tribe found its match.

The Indians announced Sunday morning that they signed free-agent infielder Brad Miller to a Major League contract. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, pitcher Danny Salazar, who is working his way back from right shoulder surgery, was placed on the 60-day injured list.

“Left-handed bat that has really actually done pretty good damage against right-handed pitching,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “At this late of stage of the spring, I thought the guys did a really good job of finding somebody that could help us. That’s not an easy thing to do.”

Miller has been in the big leagues for six seasons, spending his first three years with Seattle before moving to Tampa Bay in 2016. Last season the Rays traded Miller to the Brewers on June 10, and he hit a combined .248 with seven homers, 29 RBIs and a .724 OPS on the year before being released on July 31. He was signed by the Dodgers on Feb. 27, and he hit .385 with two homers and three RBIs in 12 Cactus League games this spring before he was released on Thursday. Miller said he had a few offers, but thought his best fit was with the Tribe.

“It made a lot of sense,” Miller said. “I wanted to join a team that had eyes on winning this year and that had been there before, and this organization has made a habit of winning. So, once everything came together it was a pretty easy choice for me.”

The 29-year-old infielder has played most of his career at shortstop and second base, but he’s also made double-digit appearances at first base and in center field and left field. He will likely be the Tribe’s replacement for Kipnis at second while the eight-year veteran is sidelined with a mild calf strain. Miller will work alongside Eric Stamets, who is expected to fill in for Lindor. The All-Star shortstop is nearing the end of his rehab for a moderate calf strain that he suffered on Feb. 6. Max Moroff will also mix in at both middle-infield spots.

"We may mix and match a little bit,” Francona said. “Some of that probably depends on how guys are swinging.”

Miller had stayed in Glendale after he was released, remaining optimistic that an opportunity would present itself quickly. When he traveled over to Goodyear Sunday morning, the Indians were upfront with him about the team’s current injury situation. When Lindor and Kipnis return, there will be no need to carry three backup middle infielders. But Miller said he’s confident that his play will prove that he’s more than just a temporary piece on this roster.

“I think I wouldn’t have signed here if it was temporary,” Miller said. “… For me, my attitude is the same as spring with the Dodgers. I’m trying to make it pretty easy on them by how I play. I know what I’m capable of. I feel healthy. I feel like myself. And I’m very hungry and opportunistic right now, so I don’t really think about what they’re thinking now. I plan on showing with my play that a winning team needs to have me in there.”

Salazar a reliever?

Assuming there are no injuries to the Indians’ starting pitchers when Salazar is able to return to the team, the 29-year-old right-hander won’t have much room to squeeze into the rotation. Right now, Salazar (recovering from right shoulder surgery) is hoping to make it back to Cleveland in June. Would that mean he’ll become a reliever?

“Oh, I don’t know that,” Francona said. “Say he comes back in June or July as a reliever, which we have never said that. No, I don’t think that means he has to be a reliever. … Some of it is going to depend on how he returns, what he’s capable of doing. If you try to force something that’s not there, you could make a mistake. So, we’ll do our homework and we’ll listen to his body and we’ll see where we think he best can be a huge asset to us.”

Up next

The Indians will travel to Globe Life Park on Monday to play their first of two exhibition games against the Rangers. Righty Carlos Carrasco is scheduled to start against Rangers right-hander Edinson Volquez. First pitch is slated for 8:05 p.m. ET.