Today in 1974, Nolan Ryan throws 235 pitches while walking 10 batters and striking out 19 over 13 innings. He was immediately scheduled for season-ending elbow surgery. Just kidding, he made his next start on three days rest and won. https://twitter.com/i/status/1005106326702354432
Regarding Melky - I still think a guy not even signing until April is putting him way behind.
This is likely crazy, but perhaps they signed him to that $1 million thing figuring if they had to DFA him no one would snap him up with that contract. So they keep him at Columbus piling up at bats?
I think he's back at some point and more ready to contribute.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
I hate to be Sammy Soul Smasher, but have to disagree on all points.
First of all, Melky was DFA'd. If another team wanted him all they would have to pay him is a pro rated porting of the major league minimum, which would be like 100 grand or whatever at this point. The Indians would be on the hook for the rest of his contract. So if a team was as dumb as the Indians and actually thought he could contribute they could get him super cheap right now.
Secondly, he simply cannot get around on the fastball anymore at this stage in his career. That is why nobody signed him to begin with. So even if he clears and agrees to a minor league assignment to Columbus I can't see him coming back to Cleveland unless there is another rash of injuries. God forbid.
I was typing as Civ posted. Did not realize he had already cleared and accepted assignment to Columbus. Teams know, he has lost bat speed. And he knows too, why he is willing to take an assignment back at AAA. Melk it for all it is worth.
Not surprised he'd like to try to win another chance, somewhere. Sometimes I find names of veterans playing in Independent Leagues [where they earn roughly nothing] several years after they left the majors and forgot about their existence. I guess they just like to play baseball!