Brewers near deal for Sabathia

The Milwaukee Brewers are extremely close to a deal to acquire Indians ace C.C. Sabathia in a trade that bolsters their rotation for a playoff push, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.

The person requested anonymity because the trade has not been finalized and said there were a few remaining issues to work out.

Sabathia went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA to win the A.L. Cy Young last season and gives the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

The big lefty is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA for the Indians, but has also been plagued with a lack of run support. In nine of his 18 starts, Cleveland has scored two runs or less for him.

To get Sabathia, the Brewers will have to give up top prospect Matt LaPorta.

LaPorta was the Brewers’ top draft pick last year and has hit .288 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs in 84 games at Double-A Huntsville.

Damon meets DL

Johnny Damon went on the disabled list for the first time in his major league career Sunday after 13 1/2 seasons and 1,927 regular-season games.

The New York Yankees outfielder sprained and bruised his left shoulder when he crashed into the left-field fence trying for a leaping catch against Boston on Friday.

Mulder makes rotation

Four outs in two relief outings was enough for the St. Louis Cardinals to put Mark Mulder back in the rotation.

The left-hander will make his first start since September on Wednesday at Philadelphia.

Mulder, coming back from two shoulder operations, allowed two runs and four hits in 11/3 innings in the first two relief appearances of his career.

Around the league

Brad Lidge signed a $37.5 million, three-year extension with the Philadelphia Phillies. The hard-throwing closer is 2-0 with 19 saves. … Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes will be sidelined for four to six weeks because of a knee injury suffered during a 3-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.