The Cleveland Indians have claimed 27-year old lefty reliever Scott Maine off waivers.  Maine pitched in 21 games (0 starts) for the Cubs this year and he is 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 41 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 1-1 with a 4.87 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.  Maine has a good arm, so the Indians will get a good look at him in September.

The Cleveland Indians have designated 32-year old righty swinging OF/1B Shelley Duncan for assignment.  Duncan played in 81 games for the Indians this year and he was 47 of 232 (.203 avg, .676 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 11 homers, 31 RBIs and 1 stolen base.  He played in 242 games in his three years with the Tribe and he was 158 of 684 (.231 avg, .739 OPS) with 87 runs scored, 33 homers, 114 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  The Indians shouldn’t miss Duncan too much going forward.

UPDATE:  (8/31/2012) – The Indians have outrighted Shelley Duncan to AAA.

27-year old righty swinging 1B/OF Matt LaPorta is likely get his last chance to prove himself with the Cleveland Indians.  LaPorta has played in 6 games for the Tribe so far this year  for the Indians and he is 3 for 22 (.136 avg, .273 OPS) with 1 run scored, 0 homers and 0 RBIs.  He has also struck out already 7 times in his first 22 ABs for the Indians.  LaPorta also has played in 101 games in AAA-ball for the Indians this year and he was 99 for 375 (.264 avg, .822 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 19 homers and 62 RBIs.  LaPorta has now played in 275 games in his first four years with the Indians and he is 219 of 931 (.235 avg, .691 OPS) with 105 runs scored, 30 homers, 115 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.  LaPorta could be a washout with the Indians if he doesn’t hit well in September.  He was the key player the Indians got in return for C.C. Sabathia when they dealt him to Milwaukee.

25-year old righty reliever Preston Guilmet has been impressive in the minors for the Indians.  He has pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in AA-ball for the Akron Aeros and he is 2-2 with 21 saves, a 2.35 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP.  Guilmet has now pitched in 141 games (15 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 13-10 with 67 saves, a 2.82 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP.  He has only given up 185 hits and 47 walks in 226 2/3 innings in the minors while whiffing 244 batters, which is impressive.  Maybe the Indians will reward Guilmet for his good work in the minors with a promotion to the show when rosters expand on September 1st.

The Cleveland Indians have shut down 30-year old lefty swinging CF Grady Sizemore due to his injuries to his back and knee.  He is likely done as a Cleveland Indian.  He played in 892 games in his 9 years with the Indians and he was 948 of 3,527 (.269 avg, .830 OPS) with 601 runs scored, 139 homers, 458 RBIs and 134 stolen bases.  It’s a shame that Sizemore’s career in Cleveland ends this way, as he was an outstanding player before injuries ransacked his career.