Mets Add Indian Reliever to Struggling Staff

Trying to bolster their beleaguered pitching staff, the New York Mets got reliever Justin Speier from the Cleveland Indians on Saturday for a player to be named.

Speier was 2-0 despite a 6.97 earned-run average in 12 games for the Indians.

“We like his arm,” Met General Manager Steve Phillips said. “He had a lot of success last year. He’s been struggling a little bit this year.”

Once Speier reports to Shea Stadium, the Mets will have to make a roster move. New York has six months to identify the player to be named.

The Mets are in last place in the National League East.

Their 10-2 loss to the Dodgers on Saturday left them at 16-26, the second-worst record in the league.

New York Yankee pitcher Allen Watson, who sat out most of last season, has suffered another setback while rehabilitating his shoulder.

The Yankees said that Watson’s shoulder is hurting. The left-hander, 30, underwent an MRI exam and received a cortisone shot.

Watson had been in Tampa, Fla., rehabilitating his shoulder after undergoing shoulder surgery during the off-season.

“He tried to get on the mound,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “His shoulder was hurting him. It’s got to be frustrating after what he’s gone through.”

The Colorado Rockies put outfielder Todd Hollandsworth on the 15-day disabled list because of a deep bone bruise and nerve damage in his right shin, the team said on its Web site.

Hollandsworth, 28, was originally injured when he fouled a ball off his right leg during a 13-4 victory over the Montreal Expos on May 11.

He is hitting .368 with six home runs, 19 runs batted in and five stolen bases in 33 games this season. He’ll be able to return to the Rockies’ lineup May 27.

Colorado also recalled catcher Adam Melhuse and infielder Juan Uribe from triple-A Colorado Springs and designated relief pitcher Bobby Chouinard for assignment.