Leo: Zeke-A-Boo

The first significant cut of Indians spring training occurred Sunday when the Tribe sent Ezequiel Carrera to minor league camp, placing him on the Columbus roster.

Carrera entered the Cactus League with an outside shot at Cleveland’s center field position after Grady Sizemore’s back injury, but alas, Michael Brantley will be manning that spot come Opening Day. With Brantley moving from left field, Manny Acta will continue to look for a solution to that spot.

Ezequiel Carrera, 24, hit just .227 in 10 spring games. He struck out eight times in 22 at-bats and did not draw any walks.

He was acquired in June of 2010 from Seattle, along with Juan Diaz, in exchange for Russell Branyan. It looks like Carrera and Diaz will be paired together in Columbus to begin the season. Diaz is expected to be the Clippers starting shortstop.

Carrera reached the majors last season, playing in 68 games and batting .243. He played a major factor in the Clippers 2010 and 2011 championship runs, hitting .287 and batting at either the top or bottom of Mike Sarbaugh’s lineup.

There is still very little clarity regarding the Columbus outfield, but Carrera, Nick Weglarz, and Thomas Neal (all are 40-man roster members) were optioned to Triple-A over the weekend. Once the Indians announce the starting left fielder, the Columbus outfield situation will start to get resolved.

40-man roster outfielders in Indians camp:
Michael Brantley
Shin-Soo Choo
Aaron Cunningham
Shelley Duncan
Matt LaPorta (1B/OF)
Russ Canzler (IF/OF)

Non 40-man outfielders in Indians camp:
Trevor Crowe
Chad Huffman
Fred Lewis
Felix Pie
Ryan Spilborghs