Indians sign Vizcaino as potential 'pen option
The Indians appear to be close to signing right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino. This much is clear. What's not clear is whether he'd join the Indians immediately or first head to Triple-A Columbus.
An official move could be made later this afternoon.
Vizcaino was designated for assignment by the Cubs on April 23 and later released. He hasn't pitched in a Major League game since April 21.
The Cubs had acquired Vizcaino over the winter in the trade that sent Jason Marquis to the Rockies. Vizcaino made four appearances with Chicago, working 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
In 532 relief appearances over his 11-year career with the A's, Brewers, White Sox, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Rockies and Cubs, the 34-year-old Vizcaino is 34-27 with a 4.31 ERA. He missed two months with a right shoulder injury last year and posted a 5.28 ERA in 43 appearances out of the Colorado 'pen.
UPDATE (4 p.m. ET): It's a Minor League deal for Vizcaino. He's Columbus-bound, but I'm sure he'll be looked at as a big league option sooner rather than later.
UPDATE No. 2 (6 p.m. ET): The Indians are not officially confirming or announcing this signing yet. All they'll confirm is that Vizcaino worked out here at Progressive Field today.
Great! Now we have a reason to watch the Indians again. Seriously though, I can not wait too see how Vizcaino gets mis-managed. Should be fascinating. Will he record an out, sit on the bench for a half-inning, then return to the mound and get shelled? Will he face a healthy breed of lefties that obliterate his confidence? Is he even capable of throwing a fastball that isn't belt hight? Does this mean Masa is out of a job? (speaking of which, the fact that Masa even has a job right now is a testament to how horrible this 'pen really is)
These questions and more will be answered throughout the "Lost Season of '09"! Stay tuned.
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AC, I heard about this yesterday (from another source) - how come it too you so long to get a post up here? And what's the news about Salas being released? Is this true? He seemed like an ok pitcher - what's the deal?
Also, what does Barfield have to do around here to get some at bats! Jeezzz Wedge! Pinch runner and subbed on in a blow out game - give the guy a break! Your team management is pathetic Wedge!
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Have the Indians taken a look at the players who were in the spring training camp that was the equivalent to the Island of Misfit Toys yet? Or was that more positional players.
Alright Tribe, let's get em this weekend!
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And I like the new tagline for "CastroTurf"...
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Hey, what do we have to lose?
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Hey you know what's funny? Tom Mastny playing for a Japanese ballclub and not us. Management strikes again.
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Yes, strummer, Mastny's playing in Japan because he's so GOOD. That's normally how it works, right?
Stupid management, don't they realize that Tom Mastny and his career 6.13 ERA would have saved our bullpen?
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not saved our bullpen LACF, but he would have fit right in with their philosophy of NOT getting guys out.
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better than what we got
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No, strummer, he's not actually better than what we've got. He's almost exactly the same as what we have now throughout his career, and much, much worse than what we have now just going by what he did last year.
Very true, AM, just like Sowers starting off the way the rest of our rotation did. Everyone just wants to fit in!
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79-57!
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