Indians Designate OF Leonys Martin for Assignment

Prior to Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers, the Cleveland Indians designated outfielder Leonys Martin for assignment.

The roster move will make room for right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale, who will make his MLB debut and start today's game.

The #Indians have designated OF Leonys Martin for assignment and have promoted RHP Aaron Civale. He will pitch today vs. #Tigers.
— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) June 22, 2019

Martin, 31, has not been very productive for Cleveland in 2019, as he's slashing .199/.276/.343 with nine home runs and 19 RBI, as well as 78 strikeouts over 236 at-bats.

The Indians acquired Martin from the Tigers last season, but he didn't play a lot as he missed the ladder part of the 2019 season with a bacterial infection.

Indians Designate Leonys Martin For Assignment https://t.co/agFZ5GsVtY pic.twitter.com/Kxja7Xp3KM
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 22, 2019

According to Zack Meisel of The Athletic, this could be the first of several roster moves the Indians make in the coming days.

The Indians are going to have some more roster moves in the next few days. I would be surprised if a Bobby Bradley promotion was not among them.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 22, 2019

Civale, 24, was drafted in the third round back in 2016, and after four minor league seasons, he's finally ready to get his first taste of the big leagues. In seven starts between Double-A and Triple-A this year, Civale owns a 5-0 record with a 2.85 ERA and 40 strikeouts over 41 innings.