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April 22, 2015Cleveland Indians first baseman and designated hitter Nick Swisher, who has not played in a regular season game for the Indians since August 2014, is expected to begin his rehab assignment Friday at Class AAA Columbus. Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti has indicated that he would like Swisher to complete back-to-back nine-inning games in the field before bringing him back to Cleveland.
According to Paul Hoynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group, Swisher will join the Indians as an outfielder. Swisher has said that he prefers to play in the outfield because it will put less strain on his knees.
Swisher will report to Class AAA Columbus on Thursday and play Friday.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) April 21, 2015
In 2014, Swisher was placed on the disabled list multiple times due to his nagging knee problems. Following his surgery in August 2014, it will be interesting to see if Swisher can be relied on — both at first base and especially in the outfield.
Once a prized free agent, Swisher has struggled in Cleveland since signing his big-time deal. At age 34, Swisher has hit just .231, with 30 home runs, 105 RBIs and 249 strikeouts in two seasons (242 games) with the Indians. In his 11-year career, Swisher has batted .251, with averages of 27 home runs, 87 RBIs and 147 strikeouts per season.
Now in the third year of his four-year, $56 million deal, Swisher could help this year’s Indians team, especially with his bat. He will spend some time at first base, but is expected to play primarily in right field. Although Swisher has struggled in Cleveland so far, a team like the Indians, who are in desperate need of help offensively, could at least get a jolt of help when Swisher returns to the lineup.
6 Comments
The offensive threat this lineup desperately needs!!!
if we only had the bourn and swisher money back… antonetti/shapiro should be canned solely for those 2 decisions. you cant have 2 $15m a year swing an misses when you are a small market team. good job guys.
Season saved.
Woo hoo!
I was so happy the Indians finally did something that I was blinded into thinking those two were available for some other reason then they couldn’t play. More so for Bourn with me until I remember how he was left languishing in free agency for so long. Guess we found out why.
WaHoo!