The Indians announced the signings of right-hander J.C. Ramirez and infielder Ryan Rohlinger Friday afternoon. Here's the press release from the team:
CLEVELAND, OH -- The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed free agent RHP J.C. RAMIREZ to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training camp.
In addition, the club has re-signed INF RYAN ROHLINGER to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training camp.
Ramirez, 25, split the 2013 season between AA Reading, AAA Lehigh Valley and the Philadelphia Phillies, going a combined 5-2 w/a 4.04ERA in 34 combined Minor League relief outings (49.0IP, 44H, 22ER, 25BB, 44K, .232AVG). Over his two stints with the Phillies he was 0-1 w/a 7.50ERA in 18 relief appearances (24.0IP, 30H, 20ER, 15BB, 16K), his first career action at the Major League level. He elected free agency after being outrighted off the Phillies’ 40-man roster on October 16.
The Managua, Nicaragua native has split his professional career between the Seattle and Philadelphia organizations after signing with the Mariners in July of 2005. He was later acquired by the Phillies in December 2009 in a four-player trade that sent LHP Cliff Lee from the Phillies to Seattle.
Rohlinger, 30, spent the 2013 season with the AAA Columbus Clippers where he hit .266 (85- 319) with 17 doubles, 5 home runs and 25 RBI in 92 games (36BB, 69K, .353OB%). He appeared in 57 games at third base, 26 games at shortstop and 9 games at second base for the Clippers, his second season in the Indians organization. Rohlinger is an 8-year professional who began his playing career in 2006 in the San Francisco organization (6th round, University of Oklahoma) and later appeared in 46 Major League games with the Giants from 2008-11.
