Tribe Gets RHP Pino From Twins

The Indians have acquired right-hander Yohan Pino from Minnesota to complete the trade that sent veteran Carl Pavano to the Twins on Aug. 7. Pino, a 25-year-old from Venezuela has spent his entire professional career in the Twins' system since signing as a non-drafted free agent in May 2004. He has worked as both a starter and reliever across five levels of minor-league ball the past five years.

Pino has split the 2009 season between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester, going a combined 7-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 40 games including 12 starts. In 113 innings, he has allowed 98 hits, 37 walks and struck out 108.

These numbers suggest that the Indians have added a pitcher with big-league potential, which is somewhat of a pleasant surprise given general manager Mark Shapiro's low-key comments at the time of the original trade. When asked then about what player Cleveland may receive for Pavano, Shapiro stated that the deal was more about clearing a spot in the rotation to see some other young pitchers -- most notably right-hander Justin Masterson, who was acquired at the trading deadline of July 31 from Boston.

Pino opened the 2009 season in the Eastern League with New Britain and went 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA in 32 games including four starts. He was moved up to Rochester on July 20 and went 2-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts.

Pino has worked eight innings in three of his last four starts since Aug. 9, going 1-1 with a 1.21 ERA.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has a minor-league career record of 53-22 with a 2.86 ERA in 161 games including 78 starts. In 584 1/3 innings, he has allowed 503 hits.

His best season on the minor-league trail came at Class A Beloit in 2006, when he went 14-2 with a 1.91 ERA in 42 games including seven starts. He struck out 99 in 94 innings that year, allowing onloy 69 hits and 20 walks.

Pino has been assigned to Triple-A Columbus and is scheduled to start for the Clippers on Tuesday.