Cleveland Indians release Matt Capps

The Cleveland Indians have released right-hander Matt Capps, the team has announced.

Capps signed a minor league contract that included an invitation to major league spring training with the Indians in January. By releasing the right-hander, Cleveland avoids paying him the $100k retention bonus he would have received if he would have accepted an assignment to Triple-A.

Perez ready?

The Indians closer expects to be in the bullpen Opening Day.

While they elected to release Capps, the team will continue to negotiate with the veteran, according to Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer. Prior to his release, he appeared in six games for Cleveland this spring, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts over six innings.

Prior to signing his free agent deal with the Indians this winter, Capps had spent the past three seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He was acquired by the Twins in the now-infamous trade that sent catcher Wilson Ramos to the Washington Nationals.

Capps was limited by shoulder issues to 30 appearances last season. He maintained an ERA of 3.68 over 29 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old owns a career ERA of 3.52 with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.80 over eight seasons in the majors.

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