Cleveland Indians expected to add Daniel Johnson, Triston McKenzie to 40-man, but who else?

The Indians have until 8 p.m. Wednesday to complete their 40-man roster and get it to the commissioner’s office in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 12 at the winter meetings.

It’s not an easy process and that’s a good thing. If it’s too easy, that may reflect poorly on a team’s talent. If the last few spots require some blood, sweat and tears to decide, so much the better.

The Indians started the week with 38 players on their roster. That leaves two open spots. The logical choices to fill them would be outfielder Daniel Johnson and right-hander Triston McKenzie.

The Tribe acquired Johnson from Washington in the Yan Gomes deal before the last of last season. He hit a combined .290 (140-for-483) with 19 homers, 77 RBI and a .868 OPS at Class AAA Columbus and Class AA Akron last season.

McKenzie entered the 2019 season as the Tribe’s top prospect, but a spring-training shoulder and lat injury sidelined him for the season. It’s the second season McKenzie has dealt with injuries.

Prospects such as Nolan Jones, Tyler Freeman and Bo Taylor aren’t eligible for this winter’s Rule 5 Draft so they don’t have to be protected on the 40-man. Eligible players include those who signed when they were 18 or younger and have played five professional seasons or those who signed at 19 or older and have played four seasons of pro ball.

Still, putting the Tribe’s 40-man roster to bed can’t be as easy as adding Johnson and McKenzie. For instance what are the Indians going to do with lefty Scott Moss, acquired from Cincinnati as part of the Trevor Bauer deal on July 31?

Moss was a combined 10-6 with a 2.96 ERA last season. He struck out 159 batters and walked 70 in 130 2/3 innings at Class AA Chattanooga (Reds), Akron and Columbus. He was 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA at Akron and 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA in four starts at Columbus.

There are other choices that may force the Indians to shuffle their 40-man roster.

*Outfielder Oscar Gonzalez, who hit .293 (141-for-481) with 27 doubles, 10 homers and 70 RBI at Class A Lyncburg and Akron.

*Outfielder Ka’ai Tom hit .285 (83-for-291) with 12 doubles, six triples, 14 homers and 42 RBI for Akron. In the postseason for Columbus, he hit .433 (13-for-30) eight runs, three homers and six RBI.

*Right-hander Shoa-Ching Chiang went 9-9 with a 5.15 ERA in 26 starts at Columbus. He struck out 128, walked 57 and allowed 144 hits in 131 innings.

*Infielder Jose Fermin hit .293 (115-for-393) with six homers, 41 RBI and 28 steals in 37 attempts.

*Right-hander Dalbert Siri went 2-2 with 10 saves and a 2.98 ERA in 45 games at Akron. He struck out 48 in 45 1/3 innings.

*Right-hander Aregnis Angulo went 3-2 with two saves and a 2.06 ERA at Akron. He struck out 63 and walked 22 in 35 innings.

*Right-hander Cam Hill went 4-2 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 games at Columbus. He struck out 36, walked 12 and allowed 23 hits in 24 2/3 innings.

Here are some of the other Indians eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. They are not expected to be added to the roster.

*Left-hander Brady Aiken, the Indians No.1 pick in 2015, has pitched two-thirds of an inning in the last two years. The Indians gave him a signing bonus of just over $2.5 million.

*Right-hander Juan Hillman, the Tribe’s second round pick in 2015. This year hee went 6-12 with a 3.85 ERA in 25 starts at Lynchburg.

*The Indians took outfielder Mike Papi with their Competitive Balance Pick in 2014 after the first round. He was the 38th player selected overall and received a $1.5 million signing bonus. This season he hit .202 (18-for-89) with 10 RBI in 27 games at Columbus.

Indians’ current 40-man roster (38):

Pitchers (20): Logan Allen, Shane Bieber, Carlos Carrasco, Adam Cimber, Aaron Civale, Mike Clevinger, Nick Goody, Brad Hand, Sam Hentges, James Hoyt, James Karinchak, Corey Kluber, Phil Maton, Jean Carlos Mejia, Oliver Perez, Zach Plesac, Adam Plutko, Jefry Rodriguez, Nick Wittgren and Hunter Wood.

Catchers (three): Eric Haase, Roberto Perez and Kevin Plawecki.

Infielders (eight): Christian Arroyo, Bobby Bradley, Yu Chang, Mike Freeman, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana, Andrew Valazquez.

Outfielders (seven): Greg Allen, Jake Bauers, Jordan Luplow, Oscar Mercado, Tyler Naquin, Franmil Reyes, Bradley Zimmer.