Jon Garland Not Joining Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians were given an unpleasant shock when Fausto Carmona was found out to be using a fake identity. With Carmona, or Roberto Hernandez Heredia, tied up in the Dominican Republic, the Indians needed to address their rotation. They added Kevin Slowey, and they added Jon Garland. Or, it was thought that they added Jon Garland. But the minor-league contract Garland was supposedly signing isn't going to happen.

RHP Jon Garland no longer an option for #Indians. Was scheduled for physical Monday, but didn't take it.

— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) February 22, 2012

Previously, it was reported that Garland and the Indians had an agreement in place, and that things were just pending a physical. Garland didn't take the physical, and he's not going to take the physical. Garland and the Indians have parted ways.

I don't know why Garland skipped the physical, but maybe it had something to do with the fact that he's coming off major shoulder surgery. Maybe it had something to do with something else. Ultimately, that the Indians aren't signing Jon Garland to a minor-league contract isn't big news, but the circumstances are strange.

Garland wouldn't have been guaranteed a spot in the rotation. The Indians already have Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Derek Lowe and Josh Tomlin as rotation locks. Garland would've battled with Slowey and a few other candidates.

Jon Garland, Inning-Eater, Signs With Indians

The veteran righthander has eaten innings for five teams. Following shoulder surgery last summer, Garland hopes to do it again in Cleveland.