The Indians have sent 27-year old righty swinging 2B/SS Jason Donald to AAA.  Donald played in 16 games for the Tribe this year and he was 8 for 45 (.178 avg, .365 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 0 homers, 4 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.  Donald has now played in 143 games in his first three years with the Indians and he was 125 of 473 (.264 avg, .680 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 5 homers, 36 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.  The Indians have called 28-year old infielder Jose Lopez to replace Donald on the active roster.  Lopez played in 5 games earlier this year for the Indians and he was 4 for 21 (.190 avg, .571 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs.  Lopez was ripping the ball in AAA after he was sent to the minors.  He played in 6 games in AAA-ball for the Indians and he was 12 for 23 (.522 avg, 1.237 OPS) with 1 run scored, 0 homers and 4 RBIs.

The Indians have designated 24-year old lefty swinging outfielder Nick Weglarz for assignment.  Weglarz played in 24 games in AA-ball for the Tribe this year and he was 17 of 84 (.202 avg, .628 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 3 homers, 12 RBIs and a stunning 32 whiffs.  Weglarz has played in 532 games in his first 8 years in the minors (all with the Tribe) and he is 465 of 1,839 (.253 avg, .816 OPS) with 317 runs scored, 71 homers, 273 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.  Weglarz came into this season as the Indians’ #18 prospect according to Baseball America, so they are likely going to want to keep him if he clears waivers.

27-year old righty swinging 1B/OF Matt LaPorta is killing the ball in AAA so far this year for the Indians.  He has played in 28 games in AAA-ball so far this year and he is 37 for 104 (.356 avg, 1.111 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 9 homers and 21 RBIs.  With Casey Kotchman struggling at 1B, LaPorta could get another chance with the Tribe soon.  LaPorta has played in 269 games in his first three years with the Indians and he is 216 of 909 (.238 avg, .701 OPS) with 104 runs scored, 30 homers, 115 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.  LaPorta has been a huge disappointment so far in his career with the Indians as he was a key part of the return from the Brewers for C.C. Sabathia.

Last year, 26-year old switch-hitting SS Asdrubal Cabrera had a true breakout season.  He played in 151 games for the Tribe last year and he was 165 of 604 (.273 avg, .792 OPS) with 87 runs scored, 25 homers, 92 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.  This year, Cabrera has played in 20 games in which he is 28 for 84 (.333 avg, .958 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 3 homers, 11 RBIs and 1 stolen base.  Cabrera also has walked 10 times while whiffing 8 times so far this year, as he is showing impressive discipline at the plate.  Cabrera’s power of last season might have been a mirage, but he’s still hitting the heck out of the ball right now.

The Indians have acquired 27-year old righty reliever Loek Van Mil from the Angels for future considerations.  Van Mil is 7’1″, 255 pounds….so maybe he can help the Cavs if things don’t work out with the Tribe.  Mil pitched in 8 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Angels earlier this year and he was 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 149 games (9 starts) in his first seven years in the minors and he is 11-15 with 9 saves, a 3.29 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.  The Indians are just taking a flier on Mil, to see if he can help them in the near future.