The Cleveland Indians bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring right-handed ace Ubaldo Jimenez from the Colorado Rockies for four prospects on Saturday.
The deal is contingent on a physical examination by Cleveland Indians medical personnel.
Jimenez suffered with a torn thumb cuticle, hip flexor and groin issues earlier this season going 6-9 with a 4.46 ERA.
Last year, Jimenez started the All-Star Game for the National League and was 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA, including a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves.
“This was a very difficult decision for us to make, but our focus with this deal was to make our team better in the very near future and we feel like we were able to do that in this situation,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “We believe the timing of this deal also allowed us to maximize the value we were able to get in return.”
The Rockies will receive pitcher Alex White, the Indians’ top pick in 2009, pitcher Joe Gardner and first baseman-outfielder Matt McBride. They will also receive Drew Pomeranz next month.
Pomeranz, Cleveland’s top pick last year, was signed in August last year, and Major League Baseball rules prohibit a player from being traded until one year into his professional career.
The visiting Rockies defeated the San Diego Padres 10-6 on Saturday, despite Jimenez giving up four runs on two hits and four walks in just one inning before he was pulled and informed he had been traded to Cleveland.
“It’s really hard, but that’s part of baseball. I was ready for it,” Jimenez told reporters during a mid-game press conference.
“I was surprised I pitched. When I got to the bullpen it was like, ‘I’m not sure why I’m here.’ I got to the mound and I couldn’t throw a strike. I didn’t have my mind on the game,” he said.
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