MLB News: Indians let go of Matt Carson and Lou Marson

Outfielder Matt Carson and catcher Lou Marson were not tendered contracts today by the Cleveland Indians, thus making them free agents.

The Indians announced the decisions earlier this evening in advance of tonight’s deadline for contracts offered to members of 40-man rosters. The team announced that they did agree to terms with right-handed relievers Frank Herrmann and Blake Wood, while Tyler Cloyd was let go, as previously shared last week.

Carson, 32, is a bit of a surprise non-tender. A journeyman outfielder, he shined down the stretch for the Indians, batting 7-for-11 in the regular season and making the AL Wild Card roster. He signed as a free agent last November with the organization and batted .252/.322/.394 in 121 games with Triple-A Columbus. It’s possible the team has further outfield plans, even though they have five on roster with the recent signing of David Murphy.

Marson, 27, was expected to be the lone non-tender. As MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reported earlier in the day, however, it’s possible he’ll remain with the organization as he recovers through shoulder issues that plagued him in 2013. This season, he appeared in just three games for the Indians and nine in the minors while he was unseated by Yan Gomes as the team’s backup. Acquired from Philadelphia in the July 2009 Cliff Lee trade, he has a career .219/.309/.299 line in 882 MLB plate appearances.

Herrmann and Wood are possible contenders for the middle relief role vacated by free agent Matt Albers. The Indians will likely also add in another reliever or two to fill in the roles previously held by Rich Hill and Joe Smith, also free agents, as well as the empty closer position.

The team’s 40-man roster currently stands at 38.

[Related: How crazy would it be for Indians to consider trading Michael Bourn?]