Major League Baseball

Pirates send Bixler to Indians for INF prospect

Published Jan. 18, 2010 5:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Pittsburgh Pirates swapped infielders with the Indians, sending strikeout-prone Brian Bixler to Cleveland for prospect Jesus Brito.

The 27-year-old Bixler struck out 26 times in 44 at-bats with the Pirates last season. He also has 62 strikeouts and a .178 average in 152 career at-bats.

The 22-year-old Brito hit .353 in 224 at-bats with 19 doubles and 10 triples in rookie ball and at Single-A Mahoning Valley last season.

Bixler, a 2004 second-round draft pick, has been an excellent fielder in the minors, but has 10 errors in 49 major league games at shortstop. Bixler was added to Cleveland's 40-man roster.