The Rays reassigned Merritt to their minor-league camp Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Merritt pitched exclusively at Triple-A Columbus in the Indians organization in 2018, compiling a 3.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and an outstanding 52:2 K:BB in 71.1 innings. That impeccable control was reason enough for the Rays to bring Merritt aboard this winter on a minor-league deal, but he never had much hope of securing an Opening Day role with the big club. Look for him to begin the season at Triple-A Durham.
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Rays' Ryan Merritt: Joins Rays on MiLB deal
Rotowire
Merritt signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Merritt pitched in only 15 games for Triple-A Columbus in 2018 as he dealt with a shoulder issue, and was jettisoned off the Indians' 40-man roster in July at the conclusion of his rehab assignment due to a worrying drop in velocity. The 26-year-old lefty had a 1.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 31.2 innings with Cleveland between 2016-17, and does have some upside for Tampa Bay should he remain healthy and rediscover his previous form.
Merritt cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.
Merritt returned from the 60-day disabled list last week and was subsequently designated for assignment due to his continued decrease in velocity. The 26-year-old will remain with the Clippers, where he has spent the last month on his minor-league rehab assignment.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Activated; designated for assignment
Rotowire
Merritt (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day DL and designated for assignment prior to Friday's game, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
The Indians were forced to make a decision on Merritt's roster spot as the left-hander's rehab assignment came to an end. Manager Terry Francona said the decision was effectively made for the team due to a decrease in velocity by Merritt over the past couple weeks while in the minors. He will now be subject to the waiver wire after being designated for assignment.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Embarks on rehab assignment
Rotowire
Merritt (shoulder) joined Triple-A Columbus on Thursday to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.
Merritt has been out since the end of spring training with an arm injury, which evolved into left shoulder inflammation in mid-May, causing the left-hander to put his initial rehab assignment on pause. The Indians have yet to comment on a timetable for Merritt, but it's expected that he will require a lengthy minor-league stay in order to build up his arm strength.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Shifted to 60-day DL
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Merritt (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
This move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Neil Ramirez, who had his contract purchased in a corresponding move. Merritt has been sidelined all season and was recently shut down from throwing due to shoulder inflammation. While a concrete timetable for his return remains unclear, he'll now be sidelined at least until the end of May.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Shut down with shoulder inflammation
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Merritt (knee) was diagnosed Sunday with left shoulder inflammation and will be shut down from throwing for about 3-to-5 days, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Merritt opened the campaign on the 10-day disabled list after a left knee issue suffered during the offseason delayed him in spring training, but the shoulder injury now looks to be the greater concern. The lefty made just one rehab start at Triple-A Columbus on May 4 before his rehab was put on hold after he felt "sluggish" while throwing, according to Bastian. Even if Merritt receives clearance to resume throwing next week and goes ahead with his rehab assignment soon thereafter, he'll likely need multiple outings to build up to a starter's workload. That will likely delay his activation until at least June, making him a candidate to shift to the 60-day DL if the Indians need to open up a 40-man roster spot for another player.
Indians' Ryan Merritt: To begin rehab assignment Friday
Rotowire
Merritt (arm) will embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Friday.
Merritt was able to compete in a few extended spring training games but this will be the first time the 26-year-old is back on the mound in a live minor-league game since experiencing a "tired arm" in late March. It seems likely that Merritt will require multiple outings with Columbus before returning to Cleveland, so don't expect to see him back in the majors until mid-May at the earliest.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Nearing rehab assignment
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Merritt (arm) is close to beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, Joe Noga of Cleveland.com reports.
Merritt has been pitching at extended spring training over the past couple of weeks while he works his way back from a "tired arm" and a sore left knee. He's set to throw once more at extended spring training, and if everything goes off without a hitch, he'll be cleared to join a minor-league affiliate for a rehab stint.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: To start spring game Wednesday
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Merritt (arm) will appear in an extended spring training contest Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Merritt continues to recover from a "tired arm" that has sidelined him from game action since the last week of spring training. He appears to be a few weeks away from returning to the Indians and will likely require a start or two in the minors on a rehab assignment.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: To open season on DL
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Merritt will begin the 2018 season on the disabled list due to a "tired arm," Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Manager Terry Francona also said that Merritt was battling a knee issue during the offseason, which followed him into spring training. Though that injury appears to be behind him, Merritt is set to miss an extended period of time with an arm issue. Francona did not provide a timetable so an expect an update on Merritt's status once he's able to resume throwing.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Competing for final rotation spot
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Merritt is competing with Josh Tomlin for the final spot in the Indians' rotation, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merritt was viewed as a long shot entering camp, and perhaps he still is, but Danny Salazar's shoulder injury has improved his odds. A 16th-round pick in 2011, Merritt has struck out all of 13 batters in 31.2 innings at the big-league level and has averaged just 6.2 K/9 on the farm, but his ability to limit walks has helped him post a sub-3.50 ERA at virtually every stop. Chances are, Merritt will at least make some spot starts over the course of the 2018 season while also seeing some work out of the bullpen.
Indians' Ryan Merritt: Long shot to earn rotation spot
Rotowire
Merritt has an uphill climb to grab a rotation spot in spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
As of now, it seems like the southpaw is behind Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin and Mike Clevinger for one of the final two spots in the starting rotation. One positive for Merritt is that he's out of minor-league options, meaning the Indians would have to pass him through waivers if he isn't on the 25-man roster. Additionally, his numbers in the majors (1.74 ERA, 1.7 BB/9 last season) and minors (3.03 ERA, 1.9 BB/9 last season) both work in his favor. Despite this, he still seems to be behind the other candidates in the pecking order heading into the spring. Merritt likely will need to overachieve in Cactus League action if he wants a rotation spot.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Picks up win in Wednesday's nightcap
Rotowire
Merritt (2-0) recorded the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, allowing only one run on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings while striking out one.
The 25-year-old lefty continues to give Cleveland excellent performances whenever they need to plug him into the rotation, and Merritt now has a 1.74 ERA through 20.2 big-league innings this year. His 7:4 K:BB limits his fantasy value, however, and it's fair to wonder just how long he can keep it up before major-league hitters finally figure him out. If Danny Salazar (elbow) is able to rejoin the team next week, Merritt will likely move to the bullpen for the final weeks of the season.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Officially recalled for spot start
Rotowire
The Indians recalled Merritt from Triple-A Columbus in advance of his scheduled start for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Yankees.
With rosters set to expand Friday, Merritt could end up sticking around with the Indians after the spot start, but it's fully expected that he'll transition to the bullpen, especially with the news that Josh Tomlin (hamstring) is on track to come off the 10-day disabled list this weekend. Merritt has previously made three starts for the Tribe this season, accruing a strong 1.86 ERA over 14.1 innings, but allowing opposing hitters to reach base at a .349 clip.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Will be recalled to start Wednesday
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Merritt will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Tuesday's game was postponed due to rain, creating a need for Merritt to join the Indians' rotation for a spot start. He'll start the second game of the twin bill, with Trevor Bauer starting Game 1 and Josh Tomlin (hamstring) pushing his return to the rotation back to Sunday in order to accommodate the new schedule. Merritt held his own in his spot start earlier in the month, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings while striking out three batters. Since he's slated to serve as the 26th man for the twin bill, Merritt will likely be returned to Columbus following the start, but he will be back soon enough when rosters expand in September.
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Indians' Ryan Merritt: Recalled prior to Friday's start
Rotowire
Merritt was called up ahead of Friday's start against the Royals.
Merritt will make a spot start following Danny Salazar's placement on the DL due to an elbow injury. During three appearances -- two starts -- in the majors this season, the southpaw has posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.73 WHIP while striking out three over 8.2 innings.
