Indians sign Carl Pavano to 1-year deal

1/6/2009

CLEVELAND The Cleveland Indians have signed free agent pitcher Carl Pavano, who was a four-year bust with the New York Yankees because of injuries.

Pavano, who will turn 33 on Thursday, signed a one-year deal Tuesday with the Indians, who have been looking to add starting depth and hope the right-hander has put his injury problems behind him. Pavano spent most of the past four years on the disabled list with shoulder and elbow issues.

He made only 26 starts and went 9-8 with a 5.00 ERA with the free-spending Yankees, who signed him to a deal worth nearly $40 million before the 2005 season.

Pavano is 66-66 with a 4.23 ERA in 175 career starts for Montreal, Florida and New York. He had his best season in 2004, when he went 18-8 for the Marlins. He underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction in 2007.