Indians' Mike Clevinger: Optioned to minor leagues

Clevinger was optioned to the minor leagues Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

This move does not come as a surprise, as manager Terry Francona announced Wednesday that he'd prefer Clevinger open the season in the minor leagues to serve as starting rotation depth rather than serve as a major league reliever. He'll likely make his way back to the majors if an injury occurs to one of the team's starting pitchers in 2017.