Graves Accepts Assignment to Buffalo

Relief pitcher Danny Graves cleared waivers Thursday and accepted an assignment to the Cleveland Indians’ triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.

Graves, 32, had been designated for assignment Friday after going 2-1 with a 5.79 earned-run average in 13 appearances for the Indians.

The right-hander had compiled a Cincinnati team-record 182 saves from 1997, when he was dealt by the Indians, to his release in June. He pitched in 20 games for the New York Mets and signed with Cleveland as a free agent in December.

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New York Mets rookie Brian Bannister abandoned a rehab start for triple-A Norfolk after only five pitches because of tightness in his right hamstring, altering the club’s plans for him to return to the rotation.

Assistant General Manager John Ricco said that Bannister, who was put on the 15-day disabled list April 28 because of a strained right hamstring, would undergo an MRI exam today. Bannister, who played at USC, is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in five starts.

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New York Yankees right-hander Carl Pavano still couldn’t straighten his right arm a day after leaving a rehab start in which he threw only nine pitches. Pavano retired the side in order in the first inning of double-A Trenton’s game against Portland before leaving because of arm soreness.