Blazers legend Lineu Aldo and Yogi Zimmer Diamond Glove catcher Calvin Johnson were benched. Aldo hit .237 in April and Johnson hit .157. Right fielder James Belinda (.111 in April) and new center fielder Michel Noël (.185 in April) were placed on waivers. Belinda is a former first round draft pick (2052) who has failed to reach his potential. Noel is a 39-year-old whom the Blazers had hoped had one more season in his tank.
Current backup catcher Felipe Delgado, signed in the offseason, will assume principal catching duties until Johnson can get his hitting woes sorted out. Delgado is hitting .288/.339/.442 (118 OPS+). Rookie Dan 'Tangles' Wilkinson will play first base and Leonardo Rodríguez will take over Aldo’s role as the designated hitter versus right-handed pitching. Wilkinson is hitting .314/.333/.451 (118 OPS+) and Rodríguez is hitting .234/.375/.571 (161 OPS+).
Outfield prospect Clancy Lee was promoted ahead of schedule to assume center field duty for the big league club, replacing Noel. Lee hit .364/.391/.580 (143 OPS+) in AAA to start the season. Journeyman Tom Jacobs, an offseason minor league free agent signing, was promoted to replace Belinda as the right fielder versus left-handed pitching. Jacobs hit .395/.471/.592 (169 OPS+) in AAA.
