Cleveland, OH – Mike Aviles' stay with the Toronto Blue Jays turned out to be brief, with the Cleveland Indians acquiring the veteran infielder Saturday in exchange for pitcher Esmil Rogers.
Cleveland will also receive utilityman Yan Gomes in the deal.
Aviles had been obtained by the Blue Jays on Oct. 21 as compensation from the Red Sox in the agreement that enabled Toronto manager John Farrell to replace Bobby Valentine as Boston's new skipper.
The 31-year-old spent most of last season as the regular shortstop for the Red Sox and batted .250 while setting career highs with 13 home runs and 60 RBI in 136 games.
Aviles, who is likely ticketed for a backup role behind shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and second baseman Jason Kipnis in Cleveland, owns a .277 lifetime average with 39 homers and 190 over five major league seasons with the Red Sox and Kansas City Royals.
Rogers put up solid numbers for the Indians after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies in June, compiling a 3-1 record and a 3.06 earned run average in 44 relief appearances and striking out 54 batters in 53 innings.
The 27-year-old Dominican is 11-12 with a 5.95 ERA over 114 career games, all but 22 of which have come out of the bullpen, in stops with the Rockies and Cleveland.
Gomes, the first Brazilian-born player to reach the majors, hit .204 with four homers and 13 RBI in 43 games for the Blue Jays last season and made starts at first base, third base, catcher and designated hitter. The 25-year-old batted .328 with 13 homers and 59 RBI in 79 games for Triple-A Las Vegas as well.
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