Jack

Cressend

Those two join David Riske, Jose Jimenez and Scott Stewart as locks for bullpen spots. It’s likely that one of the other two vacancies will go to Chad Durbin. That would leave lefties Cliff Bartosh and Matt White and righties Luther Hackman, Dave Lee, Kazuhito Tadano, Giovanni Carrara and Fernando Cabrera competing for one spot.

This move would have been less surprising two weeks ago. Cressend had allowed one run in 3 1/3 innings this month, dropping his ERA from 7.30 to 6.32. Considering that he had a 2.51 ERA in 33 appearances last year, he probably deserved a little more time to work through his troubles.

Cressend had a 2.51 ERA in 43 innings for the Indians in 2003, but he got off to a poor start last year and didn’t pitch much better after being sent to Triple-A. He’s now back with the team he that signed him back in 1996. He’ll open the season in the minors, but he could be a useful 12th pitcher as long as his shoulder is OK.

''I’ll stay in extended spring training when the team breaks camp,’' Cressend said. ''They want to make sure I’m 100 percent before I go north.’' Cressend is likely to spend much of this season in Triple-A.

Cressand had a 2.51 ERA in 43 innings for the Indians in 2003, but he hasn’t done anything since. Last year, he had a 5.06 ERA in 69 1/3 IP for Triple-A Pawtucket. It’s not looking good for him.

Cressand, who returned from shoulder surgery in April, was very effective at both Double- and Triple-A. The Indians hope he’ll step up and replace Dan Miceli.

Cressend is working his way back up. He could spend quite a bit of time in Buffalo once he gets to Triple-A.

Neither pitcher has much fantasy potential.

Cressend will add an extra arm to the Cleveland bullpen that has been overworked lately.

Bobby Howry for Cressend doesn’t sound like a very good swap to us. Cressend, who was just added Sunday, had a 2.60 ERA for Triple-A Buffalo. Howry’s ERA was 5.19.