Before Friday's Cactus League game against the Angels, the Indians reduced their roster by sending four more players down to the minors.
Infielder Erik Gonzalez was optioned to Double-A Akron, outfielder Carlos Moncrief was optioned to Triple-A Columbus while pitcher Nick Maronde and outfielder James Ramsey were reassigned to the minor league camp.
Gonzalez is projected to be a shortstop but saw plenty of action at second base during Cactus League games as the coaching staff wanted to get him at-bats. Gonzalez went 5-for-25 in 12 games and made two errors. He spent most of last season with High-A Carolina but was promoted to Akron after Francisco Lindor was called up to Columbus. Gonzalez ended up hitting .357 with a home run and 16 RBI in 31 games with the RubberDucks.
Moncrief had a fast start to spring training, going 4-for-6 with a double in the first two games, but was just 2-for-19 the rest of the way. He played in a team-high 132 games for the Clippers and led them in doubles with 33.
Ramsey is ranked 10th in FoxSportsOhio's consensus Indians prospect rankings but struggled in spring training by going 3-for-23 with a home run and three RBI. He was acquired in the Justin Masterson trade with the Cardinals last season and is expected to start the season in Columbus.
Maronde appeared in three games and allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. After being acquired from the Angels midway through last season, the left-hander appeared in Mahoning Valley, Akron and Columbus. Maronde started six games and was 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA.
With the latest moves, there are 48 players remaining in the MLB camp.
