Melky inks new minor-league deal with Indians

Melky Cabrera is getting another chance with the Cleveland Indians.

Cabrera, who appeared in 17 games with the Indians earlier this season and decided to become a free agent in June after being designated for assignment, signed a new minor-league deal with the club on Thursday, the team announced. He has been assigned to Triple-A Columbus.

The 33-year-old outfielder did little in his first stint with Cleveland to warrant another look, hitting just .207/.242/.293 (43 OPS+) with no home runs in 17 games after getting promoted to the big-league club on May 20.

Even before his promotion, Cabrera was struggling in Triple-A, managing just a .667 OPS in 10 games with the Columbus Clippers. With Lonnie Chisenhall sidelined due to calf strain, however, the Indians could use another left-handed bench bat, as Brandon Guyer, Rajai Davis, Erik Gonzalez, and Roberto Perez all hit right-handed (Cabrera is a switch-hitter.)