Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Choice cleared waivers and has been outrighted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. The Indians also extended the 26-year-old a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
Choice is a former first-round draft pick of the Oakland Athletics who never hit his stride past the Double-A level. Cleveland acquired Choice from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations on August 21. He did not have an at-bat as a member of the Indians in 2015, but in Triple-A he slashed .204/.306/.352 with one home run in 14 games.
The decision to designated Choice for assignment came after the Indians traded for reliever Kirby Yates and needed space on the 40-man roster. As Ryan noted in his weekly transaction recap, the Indians likely knew that Choice would clear waivers, given that a lot of rosters are currently at full capacity as teams were protecting prospects from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.
Choice joins pitcher Joe Colon, infielder Michael Martinez, catcher Adam Moore, outfielder Shane Robinson, and catcher Anthony Recker on the Indians list of non-roster invites to Spring Training. If the Indians go the rest of the offseason without adding another outfielder, either Choice or Robinson has an outside shot at making the team just due to the necessity of needing a fourth outfielder while Tyler Naquin continues to develop.