Brian

Slocum

Slocum, a 2002 second-round pick, went 7-5 with a 4.40 ERA, 98 H and 95/36 K/BB in 102 1/3 IP for Double-A Akron this year. If he keeps improving his slider, he’d be a pretty interesting relief prospect. The Indians probably aren’t going to have room for him on their 40-man roster, so he’ll be a candidate to go in the Rule 5 draft in December.

Slocum rejoins the Indians’ bullpen after a 72-hour stay with the team last month. He had a 4.62 ERA and 55/33 K/BB ratio in 62 1/3 innings at Triple-A split between the rotation and bullpen, so don’t expect much more than some mop-up work.

Slocum is part of what figures to be the last batch of Indians’ callups from Buffalo, as the team announced today that it is cutting ties with the International League club. It’s hoping to have its Triple-A franchise in Columbus next year. Slocum had a 4.85 ERA in 11 starts and 19 relief appearances for the Bisons. He’ll pitch in middle relief.

Slocum goes down one day after suffering a groin strain. The Indians were looking at him as their sixth starter going into last season, but he’s further down the depth chart after missing much of the year. In fact, the team is planning on having him work out of the pen at Buffalo. Sipp, a quality relief prospect, will miss the first half as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Slocum felt pain while warming up, but decided to try and pitch through it. He lasted 2/3 of an inning, but doesn’t expect the injury to hold him out for more than a couple games.

Slocum was called up Wednesday but didn’t appear in a game for the Indians. He’ll be groomed as a reliever in the minors and could be brought up if the big club needs some bullpen depth down the stretch.

Slocum let up two earned runs on three hits over 1 1/3 innings last Tuesday and leaves the bigs with a 27.00 ERA. He could be called back up if the Tribe are extremely desperate for a reliever down the stretch.

A bad break for a pitcher who was on a real roll since coming over from the Cardinals. Brian Slocum would be one candidate to replace him in Cleveland’s rotation.

Slocum is back in the majors for the first time since the end of 2006. The 27-year-old had a 5.66 ERA in 11 starts for Buffalo. He’s probably not going to be up for long, but he’ll provide innings if needed.

The Indians thought Slocum was major league ready as a fifth starter/swingman-type a couple of years ago, but he battled arm problems in the first half of 2007 and hasn’t been the same since. He’ll likely opt for minor league free agency now.