Indians Acquire Brian Anderson

The Cleveland Indians, searching for a fifth starter, acquired left-hander Brian Anderson from the California Angels in exchange for right-handers Jason Grimsley and Pep Harris.

Anderson, 23, grew up near Cleveland in Geneva, Ohio, and pitched at Wright State University in Dayton. If he wins the fifth spot, he would be the only left-hander in the rotation, joining Dennis Martinez, Orel Hershiser, Jack McDowell and Charles Nagy.

McDowell was in a minor traffic accident but was not hurt, the team said. McDowell had visited some of his former Chicago White Sox teammates in Sarasota, Fla., and was on his way back to Winter Haven site of the Indians’ camp, when his car slid off a raindrenched road into a ditch in Bartow. McDowell had hit the brakes to avoid running into an accident that occurred in front of him, a team spokesman said.

Baseball players increased their arbitration record to 4-0 when Jeff Fassero beat Montreal and was awarded a $2.8 million salary.

Arbitrator Robert Creo decided against the Expos’ offer of $2 million to Fassero, who had a $1.5 million salary last season.

Infielder Jeff Kent and the New York Mets avoided salary arbitration when they agreed to a $1.96 million, one-year contract.

Free-agent pitcher Terry Mulholland went back to Philadelphia and will get a $350,000 contract if he makes the team. Free-agent pitcher Zane Smith returned to Pittsburgh and will get a $400,000 contract if he’s added to the Pirates’ roster.

Pitcher Mike Moore has been invited to spring training by the St. Louis Cardinals, potentially reuniting another former Oakland player with manager Tony La Russa.

Moore pitched under La Russa and new Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan from 1989 to 1992 in Oakland. He appeared in three A.L. playoffs and two World Series with the A’s, and was an All-Star in 1989.