The Indians have designated righty reliever Jorge Julio for assignment to make room on the roster for Jake Westbrook who has been activated from the D.L. Julio pitched in 15 games (0 starts) for the Indians this season and he is 0-0 with a 5.60 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. He walked 11 batters and allowed 3 homers in only 17.2 innings for the Tribe this season. Getting Westbrook back is big for the Indians with Fausto Carmona likely having to miss a month with a hip injury. Westbrook has started 4 games for the Indians this season and he is 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP.

The Indians have signed reserve infielder Jorge Velandia to a minor league contract. The 33-year old righty swinging Velandia has played in 29 games in AAA ball this season and he was 30 for 99 (.303 avg, .829 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 3 homers and 12 RBIs. He also played in 3 games this season for the Blue Jays in which he was 0 for 7. Velandia has know played in 167 games in his major league career and he is 43 for 236 (.182 avg, .531 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 2 homers and 23 RBIs. Velandia could make his way to Cleveland at some point this season but don’t expect miracles out of him.

The Indians have signed 27-year old switch hitting Todd Linden to a minor league contract. Linden has played in 23 games in AAA ball this season and he is 26 for 83 (.313 avg, .930 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 3 homers and 12 RBIs. Linden has also whiffed 23 times in AAA and that has always been a problem for him. Linden has played in 270 major league games in his career and he is 116 for 502 (.231 avg, .638 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 8 homers, 36 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. He has whiffed 148 times in his major league career. With the Indians’ hitting woes it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Linden in the majors soon if he hits well at Buffalo.

The Indians have decided to send righty reliever Jensen Lewis to AAA. Lewis pitched in 20 games (0 starts) for the Indians this season and he was 0-2 with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Lewis’ big problem was his control as he walked 15 batters in 27.2 innings for the Indians this season. He will be back with the Indians at some point this season and when he returns he needs to throw more strikes. The Indians have recalled 32-year old righty Scott Elarton to replace Lewis in the bullpen. Elarton is a converted starter who seems to have adjusted well to a bullpen role in the minors. He has pitched in 15 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he is 1-2 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He will serve a long relief role for the Indians. Elarton has pitched in 224 games (170 starts) in his major league career and he is 56-60 with 3 saves, a 5.31 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.

The Indians have placed righty starting pitcher Fausto Carmona on the 15-day disabled list with a left hip strain. Carmona has started 10 games this season for the Indians and he is 4-2 with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. He will have a very hard time maintaining that ERA unless his control tightens up as he has walked an amazing 38 batters in 58 innings this year. Carmona will likely be replaced in the rotation by the rehabbing Jake Westbrook. Westbrook has started 4 games this season for the Indians and he is 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Carmona’s injury also buys more time in the starting rotation for lefty Aaron Laffey who has been outstanding this season for the Tribe. He has started 5 games for the Indians this season and he is 2-3 with a 1.60 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. The Indians have recalled 24-year old righty reliever Edwin Mujica to replace Carmona on the roster until his spot in the rotation comes up. He has pitched in 18 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this year and he is 0-2 with 4 saves, a 4.15 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Mujica has pitched in 20 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 0-1 with a 5.17 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He has only walked 2 batters in 31.1 innings in the majors but he has allowed 44 hits and that has been a problem. Mujica will likely only be on the Indians until Jake Westbrook returns next week.