The Tribe is signing shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to a new two-year contract extension, just one day before the season opener against the Blue Jays.

Cleveland Indians Team President Mark Shapiro says Cabrera is an important asset to their roster.

"This is a guy that has established himself as one of the best offensive middle infielders in the game," he said.

Cabrera has been an anchor for this Indians team, leading the team in runs, hits, runs batted in and stolen bases on his way to his first All-Star appearance in 2011.

"The ability to get him for additional years of free agency is a huge plus for our organization, for our ability to plan," Shapiro said.

Press Release:

(Cleveland Indians) The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed INF ASDRUBAL CABRERA to a two-year contract extension covering the 2013 and 2014 Championship Seasons.

Cabrera, 26, earned his first All-Star selection in 2011 and was awarded an American League Silver Slugger, hitting .273 (165-for-604) with 32 doubles, 3 triples, 25HR and 92 RBI in 151 games. He led the team in runs (87), hits (165), RBI (92) and stolen bases (17) and topped American League shortstops in RBI, was tied for first in hits and was second in runs, doubles and home runs. Overall his 92RBI were 17th in the entire AL and were the most by an Indians shortstop since Lou Boudreau (106) won the 1948 MVP Award. His 25 home runs as a shortstop were the most in the 111-year history of the Cleveland Indians franchise and the most ever for a Venezuelan-born shortstop.

Asdrubal was also named “Man of the Year” by the Cleveland BBWAA Chapter, finished 20th in the AL MVP voting and was named the shortstop on the Sporting News AL postseason All-Star Team.

Asdrubal Cabrera drove in five runs and Jeanmar Gomez won his fifth straight start for Cleveland as the Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 11-2 on Thursday night to remain in second place in the AL Central.

Gomez (5-2) gave up one earned run and four hits over six innings. Since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 30, the right-hander is 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA.

Cabrera hit a three-run homer and tied his career-high for RBIs. Kosuke Fukudome added three RBIs and Travis Hafner singled for his 1,000th career hit as Cleveland moved 1.5 games ahead of the White Sox.

Fukudome's two-out, two-run single off Philip Humber (9-9) in the fifth inning broke a 2-2 tie.

Fukudome and Jason Kipnis hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the first inning. That's the first time in 40-years that the Tribe started the game with back-to-back home runs. Graig Nettles and Vada Pinson turned the trick back in 1971.

Tonight, the Indians play the Minnesota Twins in the start of a four-game series. First pitch is at 7:05. Before the game, the Indians will honor Jim Thome.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Cleveland's All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who left Tuesday's game with a sprained right ankle, is in the lineup for the Indians' contest against the New York Yankees.

Cabrera twisted his ankle while making a leaping throw in the third inning Tuesday. He backhanded Francisco Cervelli's grounder in the hole, but landed awkwardly after making a leaping throw. Cabrera remained in the game, but was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the fourth.

Cabrera convinced manager Manny Acta that he would be able to play in the series finale with the Yankees.

Cabrera, who has started all 85 games, is batting .292 with a career-high 14 homers and 49 RBIs and has made several spectacular plays in the field.

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