GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -The Cleveland Indians acquired reliever Juan Salas on Thursday in a trade with Tampa Bay and designated disappointing third baseman Andy Marte for assignment.
The Indians sent minor league infielder Isaias Velasquez to Tampa for Salas, a right-hander who made five appearances for the Rays in 2008. The 30-year-old had a 7.11 ERA in five gams over two stints with the Rays. He went 4-5 with a 2.62 ERA and one save in 28 games for Triple-A Durham.
Drafted as an infielder in 1998, Salas was converted to a reliever in 2004. He was first called up by the Rays two years later and went 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 34 games for Tampa in 2007.
Salas will join a crowded field for the final spot in Cleveland’s bullpen.
“He’s in the mix,” Indians manager Eric Wedge. “He’s got a live arm and he has an option left.”
Velasquez batted .281 with one homer and 18 RBIs for the Indians’ Mahoning Valley (Class A) affiliate last season.
40-man roster for Salas, the Indians designated Marte, who has not fulfilled expectations since arriving from Boston in a 2006 trade. He batted .221 in 80 games last season and has hit only .219 with the Indians.
“He’s still working to be a consistent hitter at the major league level,” Wedge said. “That’s been the stumbling block for Andy. But he’s still a young man and maybe we’ll get him back.”
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