Indians Confidential

The Cleveland Indians today announced they have acquired RHP WINSTON ABREU from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league RHP JOHN MELOAN and cash. Abreu will join the Indians 25-man roster in the coming days with a corresponding roster move being announced at that time (wearing #36).

Abreu, 32, who was signed by the Rays to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training on February 4th, has spent the majority of the 2009 season at AAA Durham where he went 3-0 with 10 saves and a 1.41 ERA (32.0IP, 14H, 5R/ER, 10BB, 49K) in 23 appearances. He was recalled to Tampa Bay on June 14th and appeared in 2 games (2.45ERA, 3.2IP, 3H, 1R/ER, 2BB, 3K) for the Rays before being designated for assignment on June 27th. This year at Durham he has struck out 49 and walked just 10 while being a perfect 10 of 10 in save opportunities. Abreu has limited AAA hitters to a .128 (14-109) average including a mark of .061 (4-66) against right-handed hitters while averaging 13.8 strikeouts per 9.0IP.

The 6-2, 170-pound right-hander spent the 2008 season pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese Pacific League under Manager Bobby Valentine. In 20 appearances with the Marines he was 1-2 with a 3.32 ERA (21.2IP, 23H, 9R/8ER, 8BB, 24K) before having surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow on June 6th. Abreu last appeared in the Majors in 2007 with the Washington Nationals where he was 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA (30.1IP, 37H, 21R/20ER, 9BB, 26K) in 26 appearances out of the bullpen. He owns a career Major League record of 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA (42.0IP, 50H, 32R/30ER, 17BB, 35K) in 35 career games with Baltimore (2006), Washington (2007) and Tampa Bay.

Meloan was 0-0 with a save and a 5.52 ERA (44.0IP, 52H, 27R/ER, 17BB, 37K) in 25 games, including 2 starts at AAA Columbus.