MLB Spring Training: Cleveland Indians Pitcher Jeanmar Gomez Wins 5th Spot

Cleveland Indians right-handed pitcher Jeanmar Gomez won with fifth and final spot in the starting rotation for the 2012 season.

Gomez had a great spring training competing for the spot and beat Kevin Slowey for the position, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said that Gomez has been one of the highlights in spring training camp, adding that he was consistent all along.

Throughout spring training, Gomez struck out 14 batters with a 1.37 ERA in 19.2 innings. He gave the Cleveland fanbase a bit of a scare with a minor hip injury last Friday during the fourth inning, but he worked through it and earned the fifth spot.

In the 2011 season with the Indians, he had a win-loss record of 5-3 with a 4.47 ERA in 11 outings. Most of his 2011 season was with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers with a record of 10-7 and a 2.55 ERA in 21 starts.

Gomez is scheduled to start on April 11 against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.

He said that he is happy that Cleveland gave him the position, and he feels good.

Antonetti said that Gomez out-pitched Slowey, as well as David Huff, and earned the lone vacancy on the starting rotation.

The current starting rotation of Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Derek Lowe, Josh Tomlin and Jeanmar Gomez appears to be strong and solid. Gomez will compliment the rotation as a consistent hurler.