Indians drop slumping Edwin Encarnacion from cleanup spot

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians have dropped slumping slugger Edwin Encarnacion from the cleanup spot for the first time this season.

Encarnacion was set to bat fifth instead of fourth Monday night at home against Tampa Bay. He hit cleanup in the first 36 games.

Encarnacion has struggled since signing a three-year, $60 million contract with Cleveland. He is hitting .206 with five homers and 11 RBI.

The 34-year-old Encarnacion hit a home run on opening day, but has yet to provide the production the Indians expected when they signed him in January. He hit 42 homers and drove in 127 runs for Toronto last year.

Encarnacion is stuck in an 0-for-12 slump. He's batting .094 (3 for 32) with six RBI…