Indians Set to Trade Bradley

Milton Bradley might soon be someone else’s center fielder -- and problem. The Cleveland Indians have apparently had enough.

The club is trying to trade Bradley, who was barred from Cleveland’s training camp Thursday, one day after he was pulled from an exhibition game by Manager Eric Wedge for not running out a pop fly.

Indian General Manager Mark Shapiro has discussed a trade involving Bradley with as many as eight teams, and “four or five are legitimate and serious.”

Bradley was expected to bat cleanup for the Indians this season. But the 25-year-old outfielder, who has a troubled history on and off the field, will play elsewhere once the Indians can strike a deal.

“It’s unfortunate where we are right now, but we have to do what’s best for the ballclub,” Wedge said.

Although the season opener is Monday, Shapiro said there was no timetable to make a trade. The Indians are at a disadvantage because teams know they want to make a deal, but having so many involved actually helps Cleveland, according to Shapiro.

With Bradley’s expected trade, Coco Crisp and Alex Escobar will probably make the Indians’ 25-man opening day roster.

Wedge had planned to keep only one extra outfielder, and the speedy Crisp appeared to be on his way to triple-A Buffalo to start the season.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen now,” said Crisp, who hit a two-run homer and crashed into the center-field wall while catching the game’s final out in a 13-11 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Bradley’s agent, Seth Levinson, said both sides had agreed to the separation to weigh their options.

“He left camp with the understanding and the agreement of the front office,” Levinson said.

Also, Indian outfielder Ryan Ludwick underwent surgery to have scar tissue removed from his right knee and will be sidelined for at least eight weeks.

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The Minnesota Twins sent left-hander Carlos Pulido to triple-A Rochester and reassigned right-handers Seth Greisinger and Pete Munro to their minor league camp.

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The Colorado Rockies sent top pitching prospect Chin-hui Tsao and three other players to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Tsao was competing with fellow right-hander Denny Stark for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Colorado also optioned right-hander Allan Simpson and outfielders Brad Hawpe and Choo Freeman to Colorado Springs.

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The Detroit Tigers optioned right-hander Ugueth Urbina to Class A Lakeland, Fla., so the newly acquired closer can get more work before the season starts. Also, a few hours after being given his unconditional release, Esteban Yan re-signed and is still in the mix to be the No. 5 starter, Manager Alan Trammell said.