Brewers pack 1-2 punch - Sports Tuesday

Brewers pack 1-2 punch

Sabathia supplies heat from the left side to complement Sheets

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008 - 12:07 AM

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By WIRE REPORTS

MILWAUKEE - Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia was traded yesterday from the Cleveland Indians to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects.

Sabathia, eligible for free agency after the season, went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last season and gives the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

Sabathia, who has requested that the periods be dropped from his first name, is the first reigning Cy Young winner to be traded since Roger Clemens was dealt to the New York Yankees after winning the award with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998.

Sabathia was scheduled to arrive in Milwaukee before last night's game against Colorado and to pitch against the Rockies tonight. He also is expected to pitch against Cincinnati on Sunday, giving him a pair of starts for his new team at home leading into the all-star break.

Milwaukee sent Cleveland left fielder Matt LaPorta, pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson and a player to be named.

General Manager Doug Melvin said the Brewers' strong farm system gave him flexibility to deal a good prospect.

"Matt LaPorta is going to be a good big-league player, and I hope he is," Melvin said.

Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said the acquisition of Sabathia will push the team's payroll past $90 million this season. Attanasio said the move might prevent the club from turning a profit this year, but it was made possible by increased fan support and sound financial decisions in recent years.

In other Brewers news:

Right-hander Jeff Suppan on the 15-day disabled list because of joint irritation in his pitching elbow, temporarily making room on the roster for Sabathia. Suppan said he hurt his elbow during an at-bat in his May 23 start at Washington.

Francoeur back up with the Braves

ATLANTA - Jeff Francoeur's stay in the minor leagues barely lasted a weekend.

Francoeur, who had four hits in his third game with Double-A Mississippi on Sunday, was recalled to the Atlanta Braves yesterday.

Francoeur was 7 for 13 (.548) with two RBI at Mississippi.

The timing of Francoeur's four-hit game on Sunday was perfect for the Braves, who could recall the outfielder so quickly because they placed three other players on the disabled list - relief pitchers Jeff Bennett and Manny Acosta and infielder Omar Infante.

Infante, primarily an infielder, started in left field Sunday but left with a strained hamstring following his first-inning double.

A player can be recalled after spending less than 10 days in the minors if replacing an injured player.

The Braves wanted to recall Francoeur on a high note. They seized the opportunity provided by his 4-for-5 game Sunday.

Francoeur (.234, 8 HR, 41 RBI) was just 1 for 12 in July after hitting .206 in June. He hit .293 with 19 homers and 105 RBI last season, his second straight season with more than 100 RBI. He also won his first Gold Glove in right field.

Elsewhere

The Boston Red Sox optioned starting pitcher Justin Masterson to Triple-A Pawtucket, with plans to convert him into a relief pitcher. Manager Terry Francona said the team is preparing to recall right-hander Clay Buchholz, who will take Masterson's spot as the fifth starter. Buchholz was sent to the minors to work on his fastball command after spending the last two weeks of May on the disabled list.

Home run leaders Chase Utley and Grady Sizemore, and major league RBI leader Josh Hamilton are among the players who will be in the All-Star Home Run Derby. Lance Berkman and Dan Uggla also will be in the July 14 contest at Yankee Stadium, the commissioner's office said.