Final Roster Is Set; One 'Semi-Surprise'

The Indians finalized their roster for the season opener on Sunday and the only surprise move was pitcher Kazuhito Tadano being designated for assignment. Also designated, as expected, was infielder Brandon Phillips. Jason Davis and Jason Dubois were optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, while Steve Karsay, Einar Diaz and Tim Laker were assigned to the minor-league camp.

Right-hander Danny Graves and outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, who came to training camp in February as non-roster players, had their contracts purchased from Buffalo and added to the final 25-man squad that will open the season Sunday night in Chicago against the defending World Series champion White Sox.

Tadano was the victim of the Indians' burgeoning farm system that is churning out talent. There just is not much room for the right-hander, who pitched for both Buffalo and Cleveland the past two seasons.

General manager Mark Shapiro still hopes to trade Phillips and possibly Tadano. If unable to make a deal, both would become free agents.

Here's the Indians' roster:

PITCHERS
RH Rafael Betancourt
RH Paul Byrd
RH Fernando Cabrera
RH Danny Graves
RH Jason Johnson
LH Cliff Lee
RH Matt Miller
RH Guillermo Mota
LH C.C. Sabathia
LH Scott Sauerbeck
RH Jake Westbrook
RH Bob Wickman
CATCHERS
Kelly Shoppach
Victor Martinez
INFIELDERS
Ron Belliard
Aaron Boone
Ben Broussard
Travis Hafner
Jhonny Peralta
Eduardo Perez
Ramon Vazquez
OUTFIELDERS
Casey Blake
Todd Hollandsworth
Jason Michaels
Grady Sizemore