The Cleveland Indians major league roster got smaller by eight players today, as they optioned RHP JESS TODD to AAA Columbus and reassigned seven other players.

LHP MIKE GOSLING, RHP FRANK HERMANN, RHP JOSH JUDY, RHP YOHAN PINO, C DAMAS ESPINO, INF BRIAN BIXLER, and OF SHELLY DUNCAN were all reassigned to minor league camp.

Duncan was the most notable one out of the group with prior major league experience. He was fighting for an outfield or first base spot on the major league roster. The past three seasons, he played for the New York Yankees, playing mainly right field and first base. He hit .219 with eight home runs and driving in 24 runs in this three years with the Yankees.

He was hitting .286 this spring with the Tribe with two runs batted in. Duncan would of have to had a monster spring to gain a roster spot with the Indians and with Austin Kearns hitting the ball well in the last few days, it was only a matter of time before he was optioned.

Todd also had major league experience, including last year with the Indians. He went 0-1 with a 7.40 ERA in 19 appearances with the Tribe.

Todd was in the mix for a bullpen spot before the spring but he hasn’t had the best spring so far. He has an ERA of 8.31 in only 4.1 innings of work.