NewsTribe acquires righty Abreu from Rays
Minors hurler expected to join Cleveland's bullpen soonBy Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
07/02/09 2:52 PM ET
CLEVELAND -- The Indians continue to bring in new arms for their beat-up bullpen. |
On Thursday, the club acquired right-hander Winston Abreu from the Rays in exchange for right-handed relief prospect John Meloan. Abreu will join the Tribe's bullpen in the coming days, with a corresponding roster move to be announced at that time.
The 32-year-old Abreu has made 35 appearances in the Majors with the Orioles, Nationals and Rays since 2006, compiling an 0-1 record and a 6.43 ERA. He pitched in the Japanese Pacific League in '08.
Abreu, a fastball/slider pitcher, made two appearances for the Rays this year, allowing a run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. He was called up from Triple-A Durham on June 14 and designated for assignment last week.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Abreu has spent the bulk of this season at Durham, where he went 3-0 with a 1.41 ERA in 23 appearances. He's walked 10 and struck out 49 in 32 innings.
Abreu has 13 years of Minor League experience pitching in the farm systems of the Braves, Cubs, Royals, Dodgers, D-backs, Orioles, Nationals and Rays. He has gone 37-36 with a 3.68 ERA in 322 appearances. He has 929 strikeouts and just 374 walks in 776 2/3 Minor League innings.
Abreu is the third right-hander brought to Cleveland's bullpen from outside the organization in the past week. Jose Veras was aquired from the Yankees, while Chris Perez was added from the Cardinals.
Meloan was a power arm acquired in the trade that sent Casey Blake to the Dodgers last season, and he was converted to relief work. Meloan's posted a 5.52 ERA in 25 appearances this season and has been passed over on multiple bullpen callups.
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
