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Sabathia could be a Brewer

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From the Associated Press

The Milwaukee Brewers are extremely close to a deal to acquire Cleveland Indians ace C.C. Sabathia in a trade that bolsters their rotation for a playoff push, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.

The person requested anonymity because the trade has not been finalized and said there were a few remaining issues to work out.

Sabathia was 19-7 with a 3.21 earned-run average to win the American League Cy Young Award last season and would give the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

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The left-hander is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA for the Indians but has been plagued by a lack of run support. In 11 of his 18 starts, Cleveland has scored two runs or fewer for him.

“I’m good, excited,” Sabathia wrote in a text message posted on ESPN.com. “It’s weird leaving these guys.”

The trade was first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

To get Sabathia, Milwaukee will have to part with a package of prospects, including Matt LaPorta, a first-round pick last year who is hitting .288 with 20 homers and 66 runs batted in at double-A Huntsville.

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Seattle left-hander Erik Bedard will have his next start pushed back a couple of days after experiencing tightness in his throwing shoulder, and there is a chance he might not throw again until after the All-Star break.

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Roy Oswalt returned from Houston after having his strained left hip examined, but the Astros told their ace to wait at the Atlanta airport for the team’s flight to Pittsburgh.

Manager Cecil Cooper had no update on a prognosis for Oswalt, who is expected to throw off flat ground today and have a bullpen session Tuesday.

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