page_title: Jake Westbrook
section_title: Cleveland Indians (2000–2010)
hierarchical_section_title: Jake Westbrook / Professional career / Cleveland Indians (2000–2010)
caption_attribution_description: Jake Westbrook pitching in 2011 at Miller Park. This file was uploaded with Commonist.
context_page_description: Jacob Cauthen Westbrook is an American former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was known as a sinker ball pitcher and hit a grand slam as a batter. During his career, Westbrook played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals. He was selected to one All-Star game and won a World Series championship with the Cardinals in 2011 over the Texas Rangers.
context_section_description: On June 29, 2000, the Yankees traded Westbrook with fellow sinker ball pitcher Zach Day and outfielder Ricky Ledée to the Cleveland Indians for outfielder/designated hitter David Justice in their quest to eventually win the 2000 World Series. However, Westbrook cracked a rib at some point while he was pitching, so his 2000 season was cut short.
  In 2001, the Indians invited him to spring training. He shuttled back and forth between Cleveland and Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in the International League. He did well in Buffalo, amassing an 8–1 record in 12 starts. But he struggled with his role, going a lackluster 4–4 in Cleveland out of the bullpen and in six spot starts.
  In 2002, Westbrook caught a break. He became a regular part of the Cleveland pitching staff that was in transition, as the Tribe went 74–88, finishing 3rd in American League Central Division and getting coach Charlie Manuel sacked midway through the season (76 games). He also signed a three-year contract with the team. For the 2003 season, Westbrook converted back to starter, going 7–10 with a 4.33 ERA, ending the year as the team's fourth starter.
  After beginning the season in the Indians bullpen, Westbrook earned a spot in the Indians rotation in late May.
  Westbrook was named to the All-Star team in 2004, when he won 14 games with a 3.38 ERA. After becoming a full-time starter in 2004, the sinkerballer won at least 14 games in three consecutive seasons.
  In 2006, he induced more double plays (35) than any other pitcher in the majors.
  In April 2007, Westbrook signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension with the Indians, which was intended to keep him in Cleveland through the 2010 season.
  After being placed on the 15-day DL in April 2008, Westbrook came back to pitch his first game for the Indians on May 28. After the start, Westbrook began to feel soreness in his elbow, but was optimistic that he would be able to make his next start. On June 7, 2008, the Tribe announced that he would be undergoing Tommy John surgery and be out of action for 10–14 months, ending his 2008 season. Westbrook also spent the entire 2009 season on the 60-day DL, still recovering from the surgery.
  He pitched in 4 games of winter ball in Puerto Rico during the end of the 2009 season, testing his surgically repaired elbow before the 2010 season.
  He returned to action as the Indians' 2010 Opening Day starter. Through 21 starts, he was 6-7 with 1 complete game.
caption: Pitching for the Cardinals in 2011
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