Shelley

Duncan

Duncan had a two-run double in the bottom of the first and drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to begin a six-run bottom of the sixth inning. The 31-year-old has six homers and 17 RBI this month, but entered Saturday’s action hitless over his last five games. He can’t be trusted outside of AL-only leagues.

Duncan is batting only .231 this spring, but his power surge from last September has carried over, as he’s gone deep four times and driven in 12 runs. The Indians are cautious about putting him in the outfield on a daily basis, but as long as he keeps mashing, he has a shot to see significant playing time there until Grady Sizemore returns.

Duncan also singled in the game. Dave’s son appears to have brought with him to Arizona his hot bat from last September, when he belted seven homers and drove in 23 runs. He’s slated for a bench role again in 2012.

An expected decision. Duncan has just eight hits in 48 at-bats this spring, but five of them have left the yard. He’ll be a butcher in the field but can be useful at the plate, particularly against left-handed pitching. Duncan will move back to the bench once Grady Sizemore comes back and Michael Brantley returns to left field.

Canzler was acquired him from the Rays this offseason after being named the International League Player of the Year at Triple-A Durham. “We’re impressed by the way he swings the bat,” said manager Manny Acta. “He doesn’t panic at the plate. He has raw power, but he’s not a pull monster. He uses the whole field consistently.” Working against Canzler is the fact that both Shelley Duncan and Aaron Cunningham would be subject to the waivers process if not on the Opening Day roster.

Jason Donald and Shelley Duncan have also made the club, while Matt Pagnozzi, Gregorio Petit and Felix Pie will not but will remain in big league camp for now. Wheeler holds an 8.00 ERA this spring but has recorded nine strikeouts.

In 662 career at-bats, Duncan has 33 homers and 116 RBI. But the 32-year-old has never earned enough playing time to make a significant impact. The left fielder is hitting a respectable .250/.375/.422 through 20 games.

Duncan notched two runs and two RBI. Coming off a June where he received just 43 at-bats and hit .209/.292/.326, Duncan is off the radar in a large majority of AL-only leagues.

Duncan has just one hit in part-time play the last two weeks, and his average sits at .198 for the year. The Indians would likely give more of his playing time away if Johnny Damon wasn’t struggling just as mightily.

The move clears a spot for Jeanmar Gomez on the active roster. Duncan, 32, is hitting .203/.288/.388 with 11 homers and a .676 OPS over 264 plate appearances with the Indians this season. He could draw some interest elsewhere as a righty bat off the bench.