CLEVELAND — A dismal two-start stretch cost Aaron Laffey his job in the Indians rotation.
Laffey, who has been one of Cleveland’s starting pitchers since Jake Westbrook went down with Tommy John surgery at the end of May, was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.
With Fausto Carmona returning to the rotation, the Indians chose to keep journeyman right-hander Matt Ginter over Laffey, who went 5-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 16 starts, but allowed 16 runs on 21 hits over his last two starts, covering just 7 2/3 innings.
“I want him to catch his breath,” said Indians manager Eric Wedge. “I think this is the right thing to do.”
“He needs to pull back, get his delivery in order and get his mindset back,” said Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro of the left-hander, who performed admirably in place of Cliff Lee as the Indians’ fifth starter, earning a spot on the playoff roster last year. “It’s a natural part of development.”
Laffey’s ERA stood at a respectable 3.45 before rising to 4.23, following losses to the Mariners and Angels.
“I think he was trying to do too much,” Wedge said. “He needs to trust us. We’re sending him out because that’s what’s best for him.”

New addition

The Indians promoted infielder Andy Gonzalez from Buffalo to fill Casey Blake’s spot on the 25-man roster.
Gonzalez, who played in 67 games for the White Sox in 2007 before signing a minor-league contract with the Indians this offseason, has spent the entire year at Buffalo, batting .242 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs in 83 games.
To clear room on the 40-man roster for Gonzalez and other new additions, pitchers Anthony Reyes and Jon Meloan, Cleveland transferred ailing designated hitter Travis Hafner from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.
The move will not affect Hafner’s status the rest of the season since he has already spent 60 days on the injured list. Shapiro said that he still expects Hafner, who is scheduled to undergo another strength test on his right shoulder Monday, to return this year.

Time to shine

At first glance, Blake’s departure appears to benefit Andy Marte, who will likely fill the role as the team’s starting third baseman for the remainder of the season. But with Marte already playing third on a regular basis while Blake manned first, the trade opens up more opportunities for Ryan Garko.
Garko began the season as Cleveland’s starter at first but a lack of offensive production — .239, 8 HRs and 49 RBIs in 88 games through Friday — has put his Indians future in doubt.
“He has to hit. That’s the one thing he has to do well,” Wedge said. “That’s what’s going to enable him to be in the lineup. If he doesn’t do that, it’s tough for me to put him in there.”

Closing time

Wedge said that while Masa Kobayashi would remain as the team’s primary closer, left-hander Rafael Perez, who recorded his first save of the season Friday (second of his career) will also get some ninth-inning opportunities.
Perez, who has rebounded from a slow start, entered Saturday 1-1 with a 3.11 ERA in 45 games, and is receptive to the idea.
“I was very calm on the mound,” Perez said through an interpreter of his ninth-inning performance during a 5-4 victory over the Twins in which he retired three straight with a runner in scoring position. “I’m ready to pitch whenever the team needs me.”
Kobayshi (4-4, 3.69 ERA through Friday) entered Saturday having converted six of nine save opportunities since taking over for a departed Joe Borowski.

Short stay

A fan, apparently disgruntled over the trades of C.C. Sabathia and Blake, showed his displeasure by hanging a sign in the upper deck in right field that used the call letters of the Indians’ cable station, SportsTime Ohio, to read: “Shapiro Takes any Offer.”
The sign and the fan were removed by police in the third inning.

General Lee

Lee improved to 14-2 Friday night, becoming the first big league pitcher to start the season 14-2 since Toronto ace Roy Halladay accomplished the feat prior to winning the Cy Young Award in 2003.
No big league pitcher has ever had at least 14 wins with fewer than two losses, while posting an ERA as low as Lee’s 2.29 total, a strikeout total as high as Lee’s 120 and a walk count as low as Lee’s 20.
Only three other Cleveland pitchers have begun the season 14-2 or better — Jim Bagby (14-2 in 1920), Johnny Allen (15-1 in 1937) and Gaylord Perry (15-1 in 1974). 

Roundin’ third

Shortstop Jhonny Peralta entered Saturday batting .353 (36-for-102) with 14 doubles, six homers and 22 RBIs in 26 games since being inserted into the cleanup spot. Peralta led all AL shortstops with 17 homers through Friday.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

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