SAN DIEGO — With an eye on October and beyond, the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians scooped up All-Star closer Brad Hand and fellow reliever Adam Cimber from the rebuilding San Diego Padres in exchange for switch-hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia on Thursday.
The Indians need Hand, a lefty, and Cimber, a rookie right-handed sidearmer, to shore up a bullpen that has been without left-hander Andrew Miller since late May and has a 5.28 ERA, second-worst in the majors.
The Indians lead the AL Central by 71/2 games over Minnesota. After losing Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to the Chicago Cubs, the Indians returned to the postseason last year but lost in the division series to the New York Yankees.
Miller, Cleveland’s two-time All-Star reliever, has been on the disabled list since May 26 with an inflamed right knee. He’s on a minor league rehab assignment.
Cody Allen has 20 saves in 21 chances for the Indians. Miller and Allen will be eligible for free agency after the season.
The Padres claimed Hand off waivers from Miami early in the 2016 season and he developed into a two-time All-Star. Known for his slider, he has 24 saves in 29 chances, with a 3.05 ERA and 65 strikeouts.
ANGELS: Two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s elbow ligament is continuing to heal and he has been medically cleared to begin a throwing progression.
The team said Ohtani was given a six-week evaluation by Dr. Steve Yoon at the Kerlan Jobe Institute. The Angels said they would release specifics about his progress and rehabilitation schedule at another time.
Ohtani was placed on the disabled list with an ulnar collateral ligament sprain on June 8.
YANKEES: The Yankees activated catcher Gary Sanchez from the disabled list and sent catcher Kyle Higashioka to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Sanchez has been out since June 25 with a strained right groin.
ATHLETICS: Oakland released veteran reliever Santiago Casilla, five days after he was designated for assignment.
CUBS: The Cubs placed closer Brandon Morrow on the 10-day disabled list with right biceps inflammation.
THURSDAY’S GAME
CUBS 9, CARDS 6: Jason Heyward had three hits and two RBI, Ian Happ belted a two-run homer and Chicago beat visiting St. Louis in the first game after the All-Star break.
Anthony Rizzo added two doubles from the leadoff spot as Chicago kicked off a five-game series against St. Louis with its fourth consecutive victory. Victor Caratini had three hits and scored three times, and Ben Zobrist delivered a tie-breaking sacrifice fly in the Cubs’ five-run fifth inning.
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