The Indians have summoned 25-year old righty starting pitcher Josh Tomlin from AAA to start tonight’s game against the New York Yankees. Tomlin has pitched in 20 games (17 starts) in AAA-ball this year and he is 8-4 with a 2.68 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He has now pitched in 134 games (87 starts) in his five years in the minors and he is 51-24 with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. To make room on the active roster for Tomlin the Indians have sent 23-year old lefty swinging outfielder Michael Brantley to AAA. Brantley has played in 26 games for the Tribe this year and he is 16 of 102 (.157 avg, .436 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 1 homer, 7 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Brantley will be back at some point in 2010 but I hope the Indians wait until rosters expand in September to give him another chance.

The Indians have designated 25-year old righty swinging 3B Wes Hodges for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for 25-year old righty starting pitcher Josh Tomlin who is starting against the Yankees tonight. Hodges has played in 94 games in AAA-ball this year for the Indians and he was 99 of 366 (.270 avg, .739 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 9 homers and 47 RBIs. He has played in 422 games in his four years in the minors and he is 450 of 1,605 (.280 avg, .783 OPS) with 215 runs scored, 47 homers, 255 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. The Indians probably would like to keep Hodges if he clears waivers. After all, he came into this season as the Indians’ #27 prospect according to Baseball America.

UPDATE: (8/3/2010) - The Indians have lost Hodges on waivers to the Rockies.

UPDATE II: (8/5/2010) - The Indians have reclaimed Hodges off waivers from the Rockies.

25-year old righty swinging 3B Jared Goedert is really opening some eyes in the minors this season. He wasn’t even mentioned in Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook this season showing how far down on the depth chart he started this season for the Tribe. Goedert has played in 80 games in AA+AAA-ball so far this season and he is 99 of 308 (.321 avg, 1.007 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 23 homers, 65 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. If the Indians find a taker for Jhonny Peralta before the trade deadline or in August look for the Tribe to give Goedert a chance. He will certainly get a call to Cleveland in September at the latest if he continues to pound the ball like he is right now.

The Indians have released 29-year old lefty swinging 3B/1B Brian Buscher. Buscher played in 47 games in AAA-ball this year and he was 43 of 162 (.265 avg, .749 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 4 homers and 26 RBIs. The Indians are going to use younger players when the salary purge starts soon so they didn’t want to keep Buscher around. This will allow him to get a new opportunity somewhere else.

21-year old lefty swinging 3B Lonnie Chisenhall has been so-so in AA-ball so far this season. The Indians consider Chisenhall their 3B of the future so he needs to start showing he can handle that moniker. He was the Indians’ #2 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Chisenhall has played in 58 games in AA-ball this season and he is 64 of 233 (.275 avg, .750 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 6 homers and 30 RBIs. He has now played in 249 games in his three years in the minors and he is 268 of 990 (.271 avg, .785 OPS) with 147 runs scored, 33 homers, 167 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. The Indians still have high hopes for Chisenhall but he needs to start showing improvement.