The Indians swung a late offseason trade on Monday to bolster their pitching depth, acquiring right-hander Carlos Frias from the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations.
Los Angeles had designated the 27-year-old Frias for assignment last week to make room for outfielder Brett Eibner on its 40-man roster. Frias would have needed to clear waivers for the Dodgers to keep him. Instead, Cleveland adds another option to its ranks, a pitcher who made 13 starts for Los Angeles in 2015 before injuries limited him last year.
The Tribe opened a roster spot by designating corner infielder Richie Shaffer for assignment.
Frias posted a 5-5 record and 4.06 ERA over 77 2/3 innings with the Dodgers in 2015, spending May and June in the rotation before going on the disabled list with lower back tightness. He returned for three appearances in late September, but he missed the start of the '16 season in the Minor Leagues with a right oblique impingement.
Frias made 10 appearances between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City before the Dodgers called him up for a couple of brief midsummer stints. He made one appearance in Los Angeles, tossing four scoreless innings of relief against the Padres on July 7 before oblique issues shut him down.
Frias owns a 6-6 record and 4.50 ERA over 33 games in his big league career. He has been more effective in relief, allowing 27 hits and a .201 batting average over 36 innings, covering 18 relief appearances.