The Indians have released right-handed pitcher Jason Knapp, tweeted MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Knapp was acquired by the Indians on July 29, 2009, as part of the trade that sent Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to the Phillies. Considered the Indians' key acquisition in the deal, shoulder problems resulted in Knapp pitching only 40 innings for the Indians' organization, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince pointed out.
Knapp underwent surgery on his right shoulder in June 2011, his second major operation since he was acquired by the Indians. Still recovering, Knapp hasn't pitched in two years, and according to Paul Hoynes at Cleveland's The Plain Dealer, "[Knapp's] career is probably over."
Hoynes also wrote that back in July 2009, "the Indians said they would not have made the trade unless Knapp, 18 at the time, was included."
Here's what Indians' director of minor-league development Ross Atkins had to say about Knapp:
"We just got to the point with Jason where we felt that it was in his best interest and our best interest for us to part ways. He has done on his part to try and recover from two shoulder surgeries, but we're at the point where we feel it's best for him to continue his life, in whatever avenue he chooses, and to clear his mind and think about it not as a Cleveland Indian, but as an individual, as Jason Knapp."
Other than Knapp, the Indians received Jason Donald, Lou Marson, and Carlos Carrasco in the trade, and Marson's the only player who's currently with Cleveland. Donald and Carrasco are in the minors.
The sad part is, Knapp will turn only 22 on August 31.
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