Indians Decide to Deal Cora to Red Sox

In a trade of utility infielders, the Cleveland Indians sent Alex Cora to the Boston Red Sox for Ramon Vazquez on Thursday.

Cora, who batted .205 with a home run and eight runs batted in in 49 games, made 22 starts at shortstop and 14 at second base. He signed as a free agent with the Indians in the off-season.

Cora, 29, spent the previous seven seasons with the Dodgers and is a career .243 batter with 28 homers and 181 RBIs.

The trade gives the Indians some salary flexibility, General Manager Mark Shapiro said. Cora is making $1.3 million this year and will get $1.4 million in 2006.

Vazquez appeared in 27 games at second base, third base and shortstop, batting .197 with four RBIs. The Red Sox had sent him to triple-A Pawtucket. He’ll report to the Indians’ triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.

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Closer Billy Wagner and shortstop Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies were added to the National League All-Star roster as replacements for New York pitcher Pedro Martinez and Dodger shortstop Cesar Izturis. Martinez is scheduled to start Sunday at Pittsburgh and won’t be available to pitch in Tuesday’s game.

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The New York Yankees recalled 20-year-old outfielder Melky Cabrera from triple-A Columbus and put pitcher Carl Pavano, who has a sore right shoulder, on the 15-day disabled list. Pavano becomes the third member of the starting rotation on the disabled list, joining Kevin Brown and Jaret Wright.

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The Baltimore Orioles activated outfielder B.J. Surhoff from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder David Newhan to triple-A Ottawa. Surhoff was put on the disabled list on June 22 because of a strained muscle in his left side.

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The Red Sox announced that closer Keith Foulke underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee.