Indians designate Rondon for assignment

Hector Rondon

Today the Cleveland Indians have announced that they have designated right-handed pitcher Hector Rondon for assignment to create an opening on the 40-man roster for outfielder Grady Sizemore who was signed on November 23rd. The 40-man roster is once again full at 40.

Rondon, 23, underwent right elbow surgery on November 15th in Gulf Breeze, FL by Dr. James Andrews to repair a fracture within the elbow. He had been pitching this offseason in Instructional League and then winter ball out in Venezuela, but had a setback in his last outing on November 5th. The recovery and rehab time from the surgery is expected to take 6-9 months, which means he will miss a good portion of next season.

A lot of people have wondered what the hangup was the past week and a half with the corresponding roster move to add Sizemore, but it simply had to do with the new CBA and the Thanksgiving delaying the league's approval of Sizemore's contract until last night. The Indians have 10 days to trade, release or outright Rondon to the minors. If he clears waivers he will surely be outrighted to the minors and will still be under the Indians' control for 2012.

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Posted in: Hector Rondon