Indians Remove Germano From 40-man Roster

(Photo: MLB)

Today the Indians outrighted right-handed pitcher Justin Germano to Triple-A Columbus. With the move it creates a spot on the 40-man roster to add recently signed outfielder Austin Kearns who on Monday signed a one year deal for $1.3 million. Kearns has not officially been added to the 40-man roster as the approval of his contract has been delayed by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association because of the holiday season.

Germano now has the option to accept his assignment or elect free agency. If he accepts his assignment, the Indians can send him to the minors and keep him there all season if they wish. If he elects free agency, then he is free to sign a minor or major league contract with any club.

Germano and his agent will likely check around before making a decision in order to see if a possibility exists he could sign a major league deal elsewhere. It appears unlikely that he will land a guaranteed major league contract elsewhere, so it is really up to him to decide if a minor league deal with another club gives him a better shot of getting back to the big leagues than it would with the Indians.