Cardinals trade Reyes to Indians

CLEVELAND -- Anthony Reyes, who won Game 1 of the 2006 World Series for St. Louis, was traded by the Cardinals on Saturday to the Cleveland Indians for minor league pitcher Luis Perdomo.

The 26-year-old Reyes has split this season between the Cardinals' bullpen and the starting rotation at Class AAA Memphis. The right-hander was on St. Louis' opening day roster and went 2-1 with a save in 10 relief appearances. He was placed on the disabled list in June with a sprained right elbow.

"He's had mixed success at the major league level," Shapiro said. "He struggled this year. It was an opportunity to acquire someone who has a lot of upside, potential and good stuff. Hopefully, we acquired him at the right time."

Shapiro said Reyes will get a spot in the Class AAA rotation, and he's expected to join the Indians at some point this season.

Reyes likely will compete for a spot in Cleveland's rotation next spring.

At Memphis, Reyes was 2-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 11 starts.

"I don't think there's anything objectionable to getting a fresh start," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said before a game against the New York Mets.

La Russa dismissed any suggestion that a rift developed between Reyes and the Cardinals coaching staff, in particular pitching coach Dave Duncan, over his style of pitching. Reyes has had problems with a four-seam fastball that tends to stay up in the strike zone.

Reyes also struggled living up to the enormous expectations that came with holding Detroit to four hits in eight-plus innings in the Series opener two years ago. St. Louis went on to beat the Tigers in five games to win the title.

"We brought him up. We were trying to work in his best interest," La Russa said. "The thing we kept looking at was the stuff he had to do he wasn't quite doing."

The 24-year-old Perdomo has made nine appearances at Class AA Akron, after beginning the season at Class-A Kinston. La Russa wasn't sure where the Cardinals would send him.

Perdomo has made nine appearances at Class AA Akron. The 24-year-old began the season at Class-A Kinston.

At Akron, Perdomo was 2-0 with a 3.56 ERA in nine games. He had 17 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings

He posted a 0.93 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 39 innings at Kinston.