Denver -- Catcher Victor Martinez's right elbow surgery is having a ripple effect throughout the organization.
The Indians acquired veteran catcher Sal Fasano, 36, from Atlanta on Thursday for a player to be named. Fasano, playing at Class AAA Richmond, joined the Indians right before gametime.
Yamid Haad, who arrived from Buffalo last week to replace the injured Martinez, was designated for assignment without playing a game. At Buffalo, catcher Wyatt Toregas was sent to Class AA Akron as catcher Chris Gimenez was promoted from Akron to take his spot.
Fasano, 36, was hitting .193 (16-for-83) with six runs, three doubles, a triple and two homers at Richmond. He went to spring training with Toronto and signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta after getting released in March.
"With the length of time Victor is going to be out," said manager Eric Wedge, "I just felt we needed a little more experience at catcher. Sal knows the league and handles pitchers well."
The Indians are Fasano's ninth big-league team. He's made stops in Kansas City (twice), the Angels, Baltimore, Toronto, Oakland (twice), Colorado, Philadelphia and the Yankees.
Fasano is a .219 (233-1063) career hitter with 47 homers and 134 RBI in the big leagues. He hit 11 homers in 2005 for the Orioles.
Kelly Shoppach, who opened the season as Martinez's backup, made his seventh straight start Thursday since Martinez took himself out of a June 11 game against the Twins after his right elbow rebelled to a first-inning swing. Martinez will miss six to eight weeks.
"Kelly will do the bulk of the catching," said Wedge.
Wedge has been happy with Shoppach's work behind the plate, but he'd like to see better at-bats.
http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/06/indians_insider_some_major_and.html
