Indians add help for pen
With an eye on October and beyond, the American League Central- leading Indians on Thursday acquired relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from the rebuilding Padres for switch- hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia.
The Indians need Hand, a left- hander, and Cimber, a sidearming right- hander, to shore up a bullpen that has been without left- hander Andrew Miller ( inflammation in his right knee) since late May and has a 5.28 ERA, the second- worst in the majors.
‘‘ We tried to have a really honest assessment, what are our strengths and what are the areas we can improve to help better position us to secure a postseason berth and advance once we get there,’’ Indians president Chris Antonetti said in a conference call.
The Indians are 52- 43 and lead the AL Central by 7 ½ games over the Twins.
Ohtani cleared for throwing program
The Angels said Japanese two- way star Shohei Ohtani has been medically cleared to start a throwing program. The team said the ulnar collateral ligament in Ohtani’s right arm is showing improvement after a six- week evaluation.
Ohtani, 24, returned to the Angels as a designated hitter July 3 and is batting .283/. 365/. 522 with seven home runs and 22 RBI. As a pitcher, he’s 4- 1 with a 3.10 ERA in nine starts.
Mets’ Cespedes to return from DL . . .
The Mets plan to activate outfielder Yoenis Cespedes before their series opener Friday against the Yankees in the Bronx, and he is expected to be in the lineup as their designated hitter.
Cespedes hasn’t played in the majors since May 13, when he aggravated a quadriceps injury he was trying to play through.
. . . and Yankees’ Sanchez, too
The Yankees activated catcher Gary Sanchez from the disabled list, and he is expected to be in the lineup Friday against the Mets. Sanchez had been on the DL since June 25 with a strained right groin.