Cleveland and LA completed a small trade yesterday in which the Indians sent UT-R Jolbert Cabrera to the Dodgers for LHP Lance Caraccioli. Cabrera will not be added to the Dodgers major league roster; he will instead be sent to AAA. He'll provide LA with injury insurance for their infielders. Although Cabrera struggled during his limited at-bats with the Indians earlier this season, he's demonstrated good plate discipline in the past, possesses a little speed, and offers nice positional flexibility.

The Dodgers drafted Caraccioli out of Northeast Louisiana University in the 10th round of the 1998 draft. He reported to the Short-Season Northwest League after signing. In 1999, Caraccioli moved up to A+ San Bernardino in the California League, where he stayed through the 2000 season. LA assigned him to Vero Beach in the A+ Florida State league to start last season before promoting him to AA Jacksonville in the Southern League midway through the year. The 24-year-old lefty has shown good dominance in the minors as a starting pitcher but struggles with his control.

Caraccioli returned to AA Jacksonville to begin this season and compiled a 48:25 K:BB with 53 H and 2 HR in 61.2 IP over 10 starts before his promotion to AAA Las Vegas in the Pacific Coast League. While at Vegas, he allowed 58 H and 4 HR in 58.2 IP over 10 starts with a 39:28 K:BB. Given his control problems, I'm not overly enthusiastic about his prospects. However if he doesn't pan out as a starter, he should certainly receive an opportunity to see if a move to relief will help him overcome his control issues.

Cabrera did not fit with the Indians' rebuilding project. Although they considered him for a starting position at the end of last season, his performance after returning from his injury has banished those ideas. There's no reason for the Indians to spend a lot on their bench while they're retooling. While Cabrera wasn't making a lot, John McDonald is working well as an infield backup for Cleveland and has less major league service time than Cabrera. The team also has an ample supply of reserve outfielders. Consequently, Indians' GM Mark Shapiro made a good move in converting Cabrera into Caraccioli, even if the lefty isn't much of a prospect.

I don't think the Dodgers really needed Cabrera, so I'm not sure why the organization was willing to give up anything of value to acquire him. GM Dan Evans has orchestrated several trades that have worked out very well for LA this season, so I don't want to judge him too harshly for this relatively inconsequential swap. Odalis Perez, who was practically a throw-in in the Gary Sheffield trade that brought Brian Jordan to the Dodgers, has turned into their ace with Kevin Brown out. Meanwhile, Jordan has produced on a level comparable to Sheffield. The signing of Kazuhisa Ishii has also worked out well for the team, making you wonder how well they'd be doing if Brown was healthy.

Following a few troubles early in the season, the Dodgers have been relatively injury-free recently. Of course, the major blow to the team has been Brown's absence. Brown eventually underwent surgery to repair the herniated disc in his lower back after spending several days in the hospital in early June. While some speculated he might not be able to pitch again this season, his recovery has progressed very well and he threw off a mound in a bullpen session yesterday. He rested and underwent the suggested rehab treatments, so it doesn't seem that he's rushing back. The rest forced upon him for his back has also allowed the fluid to drain from his elbow, giving him a good shot at returning sometime in late August.

Chad Kreuter's the only Dodger to recently hit the DL. LA placed Kreuter on the disabled list in late June with a bruised leg. Kreuter's injury wasn't serious, and he returned after spending the minimum 15 days on the disabled list. The Dodgers called up David Ross to replace Kreuter on the roster and sent Ross back to the minors when Kreuter returned.

LA drafted Ross out of the University of Florida in the seventh round of the 1998 draft. Ross spent the rest of that season in the Northwest League and received a promotion to A+ Vero Beach in 1999. He split the 2000 season between San Bernardino and AA San Antonio in the Texas League. Last year, the Dodgers left him at AA Jacksonville for a full year. Ross still needs to improve his strike zone judgment, but he's displayed moderate power potential.

In 200 AB at AAA Las Vegas this season, he has 57 H, 9 2B, 1 3B, and 12 HR with a 23:55 K:BB and 1/2 SB% for a .285 BA, .375 OBP, and .520 SLG. Ross won't challenge LoDuca for the starting job, but he could provide the Dodgers with an inexpensive back-up catcher next season or in 2004, depending on whether LA decides to exercise Kreuter's $1.2M option for the 2003 season.