Indians sign Vizcaino; option Sowers

The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed free agent RHP LUIS VIZCAINO to a free agent Major League contract and have added him to the 25-man Major League roster. To allow room for Vizcaino on the big league roster the Indians optioned LHP JEREMY SOWERS to AAA Columbus after yesterday’s game vs. Chicago.

Vizcaino, 34, began this season with the Chicago Cubs, recording 4 scoreless relief appearances (3.2IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 3K, .154AVG) before being designated for assignment on April 23 and later released. This spring he appeared in 12 games for the Cubs, limiting hitters to a .244 (10-41) average against with 13 strikeouts in 10.1IP (11.3K/9.0IP this spring). He will wear #47. He spent the 2008 season in the Colorado Rockies bullpen where he made 43 appearances and recorded an ERA of 5.28 and over a strikeout per inning pitched (46.0IP, 48H, 27ER, 49K) despite missing 2 months with a right shoulder injury.

Luis owns a career Major League record of 34-27 with a 4.31 ERA in 532 career relief appearances over 11 seasons since 1999 with 7 clubs (535.0IP, 487H, 256ER, 225BB, 483K, .242 AVG). In 2002 with Milwaukee he was 5-3 w/5 saves and a 2.99ERA in 76 games (81.1IP, 55H. 27ER, .192AVG) and in 2005 with the World Champion White Sox he was 6-5 w/a 3.73 ERA in 65 games (70.0IP, 74H, 29ER). He led the AL in relief wins (8) and was tied for 4 with 77 relief appearances in 2007 with the NY Yankees.