The Indians have traded 33-year old righty swinging infielder Jorge Velandia to the Rays for cash considerations. Velandia played in 13 games for the Indians and Blue Jays this season and he was 3 for 22 (.136 avg, .356 OPS) with 1 run scored. He also has played in 112 games in AAA ball this season and he was 103 for 413 (.249 avg, .660 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 6 homers and 33 RBIs. The Indians won’t miss Velandia and they can probably use the cash.

The Indians have activated Victor Martinez from the 15-day disabled list. Look for him to split his time between catching, playing first bast and DHing. Martinez has played in 55 games for the Indians this season and he is 56 for 201 (.279 avg, .668 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 0 homers and 21 RBIs. I wonder where all of Martinez’ power has gone this season? Was it his injuries or was he taking something that he wasn’t supposed to? Only time will tell. The Indians have designated infielder Andy Gonzalez for assignment to make room for Martinez on the active roster. Gonzalez played in 10 games for the Indians this season and he was 5 for 24 (.208 avg, .700 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs.

The Cleveland Indians have recalled 25-year old lefty starting pitcher Zach Jackson to replace the departed Paul Byrd in the starting rotation. Jackson has pitched in 30 games (10 starts) in AAA-Ball this season and he is 4-6 with a 6.64 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Jackson has also pitched in 2 games (0 starts) with the Brewers this season and he was 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP. The Indians should have just brought Aaron Laffey back as he pitched good for them earlier this season. If they brought Jackson up to try to justify the C.C. Sabathia trade they will likely be disappointed. Jackson has now pitched in 10 games (7 starts) in his major league career and he is 2-2 with a 5.36 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.

26-year old lefty Rafael Perez is far and away the best relief pitcher on the Cleveland Indians but they have not given him a real chance to audition for the closer’s role. The only reason I can think of for this is that Perez can work multiple innings and he’s probably worth more to the Tribe right now in that capacity. He has pitched in 54 games (0 starts) for the Indians this season and he is 2-2 with 2 saves, a 2.80 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Perez has whiffed 63 batters in 61 innings this season and he has only allowed 50 hits which shows how nasty his stuff really is. At least with Perez working in the 7th and 8th innings the closer (now Jensen Lewis) will at least have some leads to protect.

The Cleveland Indians came to the Red Sox rescue trading them Paul Byrd for a player to be named later or cash. The Red Sox needed help after they had to place Tim Wakefield on the D.L. The 37-year old Byrd has started 22 games for the Indians this season and he was 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Byrd finished his career with the Indians having started in 84 games over the last three seasons in which he was 32-27 with a 4.68 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The Indians saved about $2 million bucks making this trade and that was clearly the motivation for it. The Indians will recall a starting pitcher from AAA to replace Byrd when his turn comes up in the rotation. Expect David Dellucci or Jamey Carroll to be the next Indian leaving town.