The Indians added necessary outfield depth this afternoon in trading for outfielder Chris Dickerson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for future considerations. The Indians will either give up cash or a player-to-be-named-later.
Dickerson, 32, has 314 games of major league experience with a healthy .262/.339/.406 batting line. He has played for four different MLB teams, the Reds, Brewers, Yankees and Orioles.
This season for Triple-A Indianapolis he was batting .309/.407/.479. In his 65 games, he has 15 doubles, seven homers and 12 steals. The Indianapolis Star’s Mark Ambrogi recently profiled the International League All-Star representative.
The move was helpful for the Indians who also announced some injury updates today. Michael Bourn’s MRI revealed a “mild to moderate hamstring strain” and he’ll be out at least 3-4 weeks. Bourn was placed on the DL on Friday, initially for Columbus outfielder Tyler Holt.
In addition, Nyjer Morgan rehab was stalled and he’s getting a second opinion on his injured right knee. Morgan was initially placed on the disabled list on May 15, then transferred to the 60-day list.
Dickerson is just another replacement bat to provide short-term depth and assistance. He had been frustrated about not getting an opportunity at the big league level with Pittsburgh. A left-handed bat, he’s sure to get occasional at-bats for Cleveland in a backup role.
Of course, the Indians and Pirates are common trade partners. Pittsburgh’s GM Neal Huntington worked in the Cleveland system worked for a decade before his hire in 2007. The teams swapped Jeanmar Gomez and outfielder Quincy Latimore back in January 2013.
Update: To make room on the 25-man roster, the Indians designated catcher George Kottaras for assignment.
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Photo: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
