Haase was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, T.J. Zuppe of The Athletic Cleveland reports.

EDGE Analysis

Haase has held his own this spring, hitting .250/.348/.750 with three homers in 23 plate appearances, but he was never expected to break camp with the Indians with Roberto Perez and Yan Gomes ahead of him at the major-league level. Instead he'll report back to Columbus to open the season, where he should spend the majority of the campaign after working mostly with Double-A Akron in 2017.

Haase was added to the Indians' 40-man roster Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The move was made to protect Haase from the Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old hit .258/.349/.574 with 26 homers in 95 games for Double-A Akron last season. With top-prospect Francisco Mejia ahead of him, Haase currently doesn't have a clear path to the majors at catcher.