News
Indians call up Todd, designate Veras
Righty acquired in trade that sent DeRosa to CardsBy Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
08/04/09 11:25 PM ET
CLEVELAND -- The Indians acquired a lot of new bodies the past couple of weeks. Now, it's time to get a look at some of them. Right-hander Jess Todd, acquired on July 26 as the player to be named in the late June trade that sent Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals, will join the Tribe's big league bullpen Wednesday. He'll replace Jose Veras, who was informed after Tuesday's loss to the Twins that he will be designated for assignment. The Indians will have 10 days to trade, release or reassign Veras to the Minors. "They told me they had to make a move to bring in the young guy for next year," Veras said. Todd made three appearances for Triple-A Columbus, working four scoreless innings in which he allowed just one hit with seven strikeouts. In a combined 44 appearances with Columbus and Triple-A Memphis this season, the 23-year-old Todd was 4-2 with a 2.04 ERA, walking 13 and striking out 66 in 53 innings. He worked primarily as a closer with Memphis. This will be Todd's second stint in the Majors this season. He made one appearance with the Cards earlier this year. The Tribe's bullpen already includes right-hander Chris Perez, who was the first piece acquired in the DeRosa deal. As for Veras, his time with the Tribe was short. The Indians acquired him for cash after claiming him on waivers when the Yankees designated him for assignment in June. Veras made 12 appearances with the Indians, compiling a 7.62 ERA. In his final appearance Saturday, he balked home what turned out to be the winning run in the Tribe's extra-innings loss to the Tigers. "I don't know if I did the job that they traded for me [to get]," Veras said. "But I'm healthy, I've got a good arm and stuff, and I have to keep moving." Veras, 28, said he would go to Columbus if he passes through waivers unclaimed. "Why not?" he said. "It's baseball. That's what you work for is to play baseball."Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
