Indians ink Weaver to minor-league deal

Free-agent pitcher Jeff Weaver is back in the American League in hopes of resuming his major league career.

Weaver, released by the Milwaukee Brewers last month after a failed comeback bid with their triple-A affiliate in Nashville, signed a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.

He will report to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons of the International League.

The Indians would represent the sixth big-league team for Weaver, 31, who has a 93-114 career record and 4.72 earned-run average in nine seasons with Detroit, St. Louis, Seattle, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

He had a career-best 14 wins for the Dodgers in 2005 and won three games for the World Series champion Cardinals in the 2006 post-season.

Weaver was 7-13 with a 6.20 ERA in 27 starts for the Mariners last year.

Indians manager Eric Wedge noted Weaver's experience and the organization's current shortage of starting pitching depth.

Wedge was asked before Saturday's game at Minnesota whether he expected an opening in the rotation soon.

C.C. Sabathia is a potential candidate to be traded, with the Indians in last place and so far unable to work out a contract extension with the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.

"That's not something I can really talk about," Wedge said. "We'll let things play out."