CLEVELAND -- The Indians vacated another spot on their roster on Wednesday, opting to outright versatile utility player Michael Martinez to Triple-A Columbus.
Martinez declined the assignment and elected free agency, and Cleveland's 40-man roster was whittled down to 36 players in the process. The Indians are not only freeing up roster space for potential external additions, but they need to plan ahead for the Nov. 20 deadline for protecting exposed prospects from the Rule 5 Draft.
Martinez spent the bulk of the 2015 season at Triple-A, but he was a part of the Indians' September callups.