Is your name "Bruce" ?

The Cleveland Indians didn't make much of a splash at the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, much to the dismay of some of their fans. However, they did make a key acquisition for the stretch run with their deal on Tuesday.

The Indians acquired Jay Bruce from the New York Mets late on Tuesday night, for what they hope will be another long run in the postseason. It comes at a very important time, as the team just lost Michael Brantley to the 10-day disabled list due to what has been termed as a mild sprained right ankle. Still, the team didn't want to lose any steam as they try to keep the Kansas City Royals at arm's length in the American League Central Division.

Bruce is on pace for a career high in home runs, already swatting 29 homers with 75 RBI across 406 at-bats over 103 games. His previous best was 34 clouts during the 2012 season as a member of the Reds, and 109 RBI in 2013 while with Cincinnati. He provides obvious power, a rather mediocre average and plenty of strikeouts. In fact, he is averaging just short of one strikeout per game, whiffing 102 times across 103 games. Still, his game seems tailor-made for the American League, and he'll be a welcome addition to a Cleveland offense which hasn't been hitting on all cylinders lately.

The Indians are averaging just 2.0 runs per game over their past four outings, placing an awful strain on their starting pitchers to be too perfect. A move for Bruce, especially one that basically cost nothing but a few million dollars and minor-league pitcher Ryder Ryan, should be good if they get first-half Bruce. However, the veteran slugger has had a penchant for fading in the second half recently.

The Mets acquired Bruce last season for the same exact reason the Indians picked him up this year. But he posted a dismal .219 average with five doubles, eight homers, 19 RBI and 43 strikeouts across 169 at-bats over 50 games. It definitely wasn't the type of production the Mets envisioned when grabbing him. If you look at his post All-Star break stats, they're eerily similar to last season. He has posted just two doubles, six home runs and 16 RBI with 25 strikeouts over 86 at-bats since the break, slashing only .221/.272/.453.

Since the 2014 All-Star break, Bruce is hitting just .209 (168-for-802) with 28 doubles, 42 home runs, 122 RBI and 214 strikeouts. In fact, it has been since the 2012 season in Cincinnati that Bruce has a higher batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS in the second half than he had in the first half. Bruce could buck the trend and hit well with a change of leagues and a change of scenery to a contending team, but buyer beware, especially those in AL-only fantasy leagues with limited FAAB budgets.

Down Goes Frazier?

Clint Frazier was scratched before Wednesday's game in Toronto due to tightness in his oblique, and he'll head out for an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. The team reportedly doesn't think the injury is terribly serious, it makes sense for the team to take good care with a young player with such a promising future. In addition, there isn't a huge rush to push him to play with veteran Aaron Hicks set to return from the DL after recovering from an oblique injury of his own. Frazier might be headed back to the minors for a while, even when he is healthy, as he has struggled with just six hits over his past 35 at-bats (.171).

While the news isn't great for Frazier, the news is encouraging for CC Sabathia. The rotund southpaw veteran checked out of his outing on Tuesday after three innings after carping about pain in his arthritic right knee. However, an MRI on Wednesday revealed no damage and it's possible he could still make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the rival Red Sox. If he needs a replacement, look for Bryan Mitchell or Jordan Montgomery to be summoned from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make a spot start.

Like the Indians above, the Yankees might be adding a couple of bats for the stretch run. But the additions won't come from outside of the organization, but from injured players returning from long-term injuries. Greg Bird (ankle) might be ready for a minor-league rehab assignment soon, as he makes his way back after ankle surgery. Starlin Castro (hamstring) is also rounding the corner and heading for home in his recovery from a strained right hamstring.

Cubbie Hole

The Cubs lost Willson Contreras during Wednesday's afternoon game in San Francisco, as the receiver pulled up lame with a right hamstring injury while attempting to beat out a grounder. He hobbled off the field with the assistance of a trainer, and manager Joe Maddon stated the obvious after the game by declaring the catcher will likely need a stint on the 10-day disabled list. He'll have an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury.

With Contreras going down, perhaps for a while due to his injury, it's a good thing the team made a move prior to the deadline for Alex Avila. That transaction, lauded as a good move at first, might actually turn out to be quite great. Rookie Victor Caratini was the backup to Contreras prior to Avila's arrival, and he'll reprise his role as the backup catcher if and when Contreras hits the DL. Avila has 12 homers across 228 at-bats over 81 games between Detroit and Chicago, so he has a little bit of pop.

National League Quick Hits: All-Star Charlie Blackmon provided the heroics in the 12th inning, swatting a game-winning solo home run off of Cleveland's Zach McAllister, one of his three hits in six at-bats. … Rafael Montero was drummed for four runs, five hits and three walks in just three innings against Texas, slipping to 1-8. He hasn't won in seven starts dating back to June 25. … Madison Bumgarner quieted the bats of the Cubs over seven innings, allowing just one run and five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts for his second win. … Sam Dyson continues to turn over a new leaf in San Francisco. He worked a perfect ninth inning for his eighth save across nine chances, lowering his ERA to 2.22 since moving to the NL. … Ryan Zimmermann crushed a pair of homers, finishing with four hits, four runs scored, a walk and five RBI. … Newcomer Howie Kendrick posted two singles, a double and three RBI across four at-bats in the whitewashing of the Marlins. He is hitting .458 (11-for-24) with a double, home run and five RBI in seven August outings. … Gio Gonzalez continues to be hard on the Marlins. He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Fish last time out, and he allowed just one earned run with seven hits over seven innings in a win against Miami on Wednesday. … Asher Wojciechowski allowed three runs while scattering seven hits over 5 2/3 innings to top San Diego and move to 3-1, lowering his ERA to 4.23. … Eugenio Suarez belted his 19th home run, bringing him two shy of his career best set last year. … Alex Wood bested former teammate Zack Greinke in a very good pitching matchup, moving to 14-1. Kenley Jansen came on and nailed down his 29th save, while striking out two more batters. The closer now has a ridiculous 77 strikeouts and five walks on the season.



American League Quick Hits: Trevor Bauer looked great in his no-decision against a high-octane Colorado offense, allowing one run and seven hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. He has three straight quality starts, allowing just one earned run in each of the outings while lasting seven or more innings in each appearance. … Joey Gallo cracked a two-run home run in the first inning of Tuesday's road win against the Mets, and he drew three walks. He has homered in three straight games, posting six RBI. He has also hit safely in each of his eight August games, belting seven home runs with 14 RBI. … Nelson Cruz had a pair of jacks with three RBI, and Kyle Seager joined him with three RBI. Cruz has five multi-hit performances in seven August games, hitting .414 with five homers and nine RBI. … C.J. Cron finished 3-for-4 with a double, home run and two more RBI. He is slashing .385/.429/.692 with two homer and eight RBI in seven games in August. … Rick Porcello picked up his sixth win, besting the Rays. He allowed two runs with four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out seven, posting just his sixth quality start over the past 12 outings. … Jake Odorizzi checked out of his start after four innings after being clipped on the right foot by a line drive. X-rays were negative. … Justin Smoak wore the golden sombrero, striking out in each of his four at-bats against the Yankees. … Garrett Cooper surprised with four hits, finishing with two RBI in Toronto. … Ian Kinsler went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, a walk, three runs scored and four RBI in a blasting of the Bucs. Nicholas Castellanos chipped in with a triple, two singles and five RBI. … Bartolo Colon looked like a major league pitcher again, spinning seven scoreless innings in a win against Milwaukee. He is 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA since joining the Twins.

Garrett Cooper