Indians Confidential

From: The Indians

The Cleveland Indians today signed INF TONY GRAFFANINO & RHP JUAN RINCON to minor league free agent contracts.

Graffanino, who turned 35 on June 6, owns a career Major League batting average of .267 (743-2787) with 144 2B, 21 3B, 58HR & 302 RBI over 12 seasons with 6 different teams after debuting with the Atlanta Braves in 1995. Graffanino recently hit a combined .309 (117-379) in 2005 for Kansas City and Boston and in 2006 appeared in a career-high 129 games with a career-best 59RBI (.274) between KC and Milwaukee. He hit .238 (55-231) w/9HR & 30RBI in 86 games for the Brewers in 2007 before suffering a season-ending right knee injury in August. He underwent surgery in August for a torn meniscus and later in December for a torn ACL on the knee. He will begin to work out with the Buffalo club beginning today before advancing to game conditions at a future date.

Rincon was recently let go by the Minnesota Twins on June 12 after appearing in 24 games in relief with the Twins (2-2, 6.11ERA, 28.0IP, 33H, 19ER) to start the season. Rincon owns a career Major League record of 30-26 with a 3.69 ERA (441.0IP, 414H, 181ER, 412K) in 386 games (3GS) with the Twins from 2001-08. During each season from 2004-06 he appeared in 70+ games and recorded an ERA under 2.91. His 81 holds from 2004-07 were the 2nd most in the American League over that 4-year span. His 383 relief appearances are the 3rd most in Twins history. He will likely report to AAA Buffalo in the coming days.