The Cleveland Indians today placed LHP SCOTT LEWIS on the 15-day disabled list with a left elbow strain and purchased the contract of RHP VINNIE CHULK from the AAA Columbus Clippers.

Lewis, named to the starting rotation this spring after a 4-0 September, started yesterday’s home opening loss to the Toronto Blue Jays and did not get a decision in the 94-pitch effort (4.1IP, 7H, 4R/ER, 1BB, 3K).    It was his first start of the 2009 season.  It marks the first career DL stint for Lewis at the Major League level.

Chulk, 30, was invited to Major League camp this spring after signing a minor league free agent contract in February and posted a mark of 0-0 w/a save and a 1.72 ERA in 9 exhibition outings (15.2IP, 10H, 3R/ER, 3BB, 8K).  He limited spring hitters to a .192 (10-52) average against.  He was assigned to AAA Columbus on April 1 and worked 2.0 scoreless innings in their organizational debut on Thursday, April 9 (0H, 0R, 2BB, 2K). He wears #39.  He pitched for Toronto from 2003-06 after being selected by the Jays in the 12^th round of the 2001 draft.

The Indians now have 4 players on the Major League disabled list.  The 40-man roster is now full.