GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - The Cleveland Indians have sent left-hander Jeremy Sowers, outfield prospects Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley and four others to the minors.
Sowers, the sixth overall pick in the 2004 draft, lost out in a competition for the final spot in Cleveland's rotation. Lefties Aaron Laffey and Scott Lewis are still in the running.Indians manager Eric Wedge said all the players who were demoted are still part of the team's plans this year.
"It's not just the 25 we break camp with," Wedge said. "If we need to get somebody later, we can see who is best suited to help us at that particular time."
Wedge said Sowers, a soft-tossing control artist, showed a better fastball this spring.
"That helps set up his changeup and breaking ball a little better," Wedge said. "Now he needs to go down and work on being consistent with all those pitchers. He's a good kid who works hard and knows himself.
"The thing all these players have to understand is that every day is a free workday for you in the minors. You work on what you need to do to get back up, chances are you will get back up."
LaPorta and Brantley were acquired in July in the blockbuster trade that sent CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers. They were reassigned Tuesday to minor league camp along with right-handers Kirk Saarloos and Greg Aquino and first baseman Michael Aubrey.
Sowers and catcher Wyatt Toregas were optioned to Triple-A Columbus.
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