Scott Lewis sent outright to AAA
by Chuck Murr of IndiansInk.net, October 31, 2009 at 11:44am ET
Scott Lewis Profile
Scott Lewis, who started the 2009 home opener for the Cleveland Indians, has been sent outright to Triple-A Columbus.
Lewis, left-hander Mike Gosling and infielder Niuman Romero were all sent to the Clippers as the Indians trimmed players from their 40-man roster in preparation for protecting some top prospects in the system from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
Lewis, if healthy, is a viable pitcher. The Indians like Lewis, but are not about to use a valuable roster spot on the often-injured left-hander.
A third-round pick in 2004 out of Ohio State, where his career was set back by Tommy John surgery, the 26-year-old has pitched only 392 career innings in the minors because of one arm injury after another.
When healthy, he has been quite a pitcher. In 2006 at Class A Kinston, he went 3-3 with a 1.48 ERA, allowing only 84 hits and 28 walks in 115 2-3 innings while striking out 123. The next year at Double-A Akron, he went 7-9 with a 3.68 ERA in 134 2-3 innings.
Lewis made it to the majors at the end of 2008 in which he established himself as a potential starter in Cleveland. Between Akron and Columbus, he went a combined 8-4 with a 2.40 ERA, walking only 13 in 92 1-3 innings.
Called up to Cleveland, he was 4-0 with a 2.62 ERA in four starts.
Lewis earned a spot in the Indians' rotation in spring training this year -- but was hit hard in his last two outings in Arizona. He started the home opener against Toronto and allowed four runs and seven hits over 4 1-3 innings -- then went on the disabled list. He revealed then that he had felt discomfort during spring training.
Lewis spent most of 2009 rehabbing yet again with five different farm clubs. In seven starts covering 23 1-3 innings, he was his usual effective self, going 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA, allowing 14 hits and only five walks while striking out 22.
Lewis has big-league stuff, but may never be healthy enough again to pitch in the majors. If he somehow overcomes his injuries, the Indians would love to have him -- but they can't count on him now and so that makes him expendable.
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