Ambriz Activated, Smith Optioned To Columbus

On Thursday afternoon the Cleveland Indians announced that right-handed reliever Hector Ambriz was activated from the 15-day disabled list. To allow room for Ambriz on the 25-man roster, the Indians optioned right-handed reliever Joe Smith to Triple-A Columbus.

Ambriz, 25, who was selected from the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 5th selection in the Major League Phase of the 2009 Rule V draft, was placed on the Major League disabled list on March 31 (retro to March 27th) after suffering from right elbow tendonitis in spring training. He made 7 appearances on a rehab assignment with AAA Columbus that began on April 10, going 0-0 w/a 1.13 ERA (8.0IP, 9H, 1R/ER, 1BB, 15K, 16.9SO/9.0IP) as he did not allow a run in his first 6 appearances at Columbus (6.0IP). Hector went 2.0 innings (2H, 1R/ER, 4K) during his last appearance on April 27 vs. Charlotte. The 6’2, 235-pound right hander was originally selected in the 5th round of the 2006 draft out of UCLA by the Diamondbacks. He will be making his Major League debut wearing #57.

Smith made 9 appearances with the Indians to date in 2010, going 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA (7.0IP, 7H, 6R/ER, 6BB, 5K, 2HR, .269 avg).