Mitch

Talbot

Talbot had registered a 3.93 ERA and 28/8 K/BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings (seven starts) this season with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. He signed a minor league contract with Cleveland last May, under almost the exact same circumstances, and never made it to the major league level. But there is more of a path for him now given all the injuries in the Indians’ rotation.

Montgomery will face Hunstville, which also concluded a sweep in a best-of-five series on Saturday. Talbot was matched by T.J. Nall for eight innings last night, but Nall didn’t come back out for the ninth, and reliever Mark Alexander, who had a 0.96 ERA in 47 innings for Jacksonville during the regular season, gave up a two-run homer to Longoria.

Talbot was designated for assignment two months ago after opening the season with a 6.33 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in his first 58 1/3 innings. He’s back to pitch one half of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Twins.

Talbot registered a disappointing 6.64 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 63 2/3 major league innings (12 starts) this season, failing to build on whatever progress he made during his 28-start 2010 campaign with Cleveland.

Talbot is also drawing interest from Japanese League clubs. The 28-year-old suffered through an ugly 6.64 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 63 2/3 major league innings -- 12 starts -- this season for the Indians, but he has back-end of the rotation upside, so someone will take a flier on him.

He will make $300,000. Talbot’s agent, Andrew Lowenthal, said last month that he was talking to 15 different teams about his client, but it’s hard to believe that now that Talbot has taken a relatively modest deal to play overseas. The 28-year-old held an ugly 6.64 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 63 2/3 major league innings -- 12 starts -- this season for the Indians.

Talbot was designated for assignment at the end of July after posting an ugly 6.33 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 58 1/3 major league innings. Avoid him for fantasy purposes.

Talbot posted an ugly 6.64 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 63 2/3 major league innings (12 starts) this season for the Indians. The 28-year-old will look for a minor league deal in another organization.

We’re assuming he’ll also get an invite to major league spring training. Talbot pitched with the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization last season and posted a 3.97 ERA over 138 innings. He has a 5.30 ERA over 41 starts and two relief appearances in the majors between the Indians and Rays.

Talbot allowed four earned runs in eight innings this spring in the Grapefruit League. He signed a minor league deal with the Marlins in January and will serve as organizational pitching depth during the 2013 season.