Notes: Belliard will play in Classic
03/02/2006KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Ronnie Belliard confirmed Thursday he will play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, giving the Indians five players in the inaugural event.
"I'm going to Orlando right now," the second baseman said shortly after leaving Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. "They want me to represent my country, so I'm going to represent my country. I don't have to go far."
The Dominican Republic will compete in the Pool D bracket at Orlando along with Venezuela, Italy and Australia. When asked what position he would play, Belliard said: "All over the place. Second, short[stop], third."
First baseman Eduardo Perez and pitcher Fernando Cabrera will be on the Puerto Rican team while pitcher Rafael Betancourt and catcher Victor Martinez are set to play for Venezuela.
Betancourt and Martinez appeared in Thursday's game, then left for Clearwater, Fla., to participate in Venezuela's workout at the Philadelphia Phillies' complex Friday night.
Belliard will work out with the Dominican team, which will practice at Houston's Spring Training complex adjacent to Osceola County Stadium. Perez and Cabrera were scheduled to leave for Puerto Rico on Thursday night. Puerto Rico is the host of the Pool C bracket which will be held at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.
Belliard, who has participated in five Caribbean World Series, is looking forward to the World Baseball Classic but doesn't necessarily agree with those who consider the Dominican-Venezuela matchup a huge rivalry.
"Venezuela hasn't won [the Caribbean World Series] since what, 1989?" Belliard said. "They've got a great team, but look at [the Dominican team]."
Belliard is curious to see how the event plays out and believes it will be a success.
"I think it's going to meet everybody's expectations," he said.
Westbrook pleased: Jake Westbrook, the projected No. 4 starter in the rotation, made his first start of the spring Thursday and came away pleased with the results. The right-handed sinkerball pitcher allowed two runs on five hits, but did not walk a batter and struck out one. Westbrook threw 37 pitches, including 25 strikes.
"I felt good, I gave up some ground-ball hits," Westbrook said. "I feel like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, getting them [to hit the ball] on the ground, which is encouraging for me. I felt like I could have kept going, which is what you're looking for in Spring Training.
Westbrook said he accomplished what he set out to do.
"All I really wanted to work on today was to try and locate my fastball and I felt like I did that today," he said.
Westbrook was 15-15 with a 4.49 ERA last season. After a 2-9 start to the season, he rebounded to go 13-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 21 starts from June 14 through the end of the season. The 28-year-old strengthened his hold on a rotation spot in the process, pitching 210 2/3 innings (10th most in the league) and finishing third in the league with 34 starts. His performance last season means unlike previous springs Westbrook isn't fighting for a roster spot.
"It's a lot different mindset, it's a little more comfortable feeling," he said. "When you get more established, you feel like you can go out there and work on things you need to work on instead of impressing guys and try to win a roster spot."
Even race: One of the few positions on the roster up for grabs is backup catcher, where veteran Einar Diaz is competing against Kelly Shoppach for the job behind starter Martinez. Entering the first game of the Grapefruit League season neither player has an edge.
"I don't know if I'd give somebody the leg up or not," Wedge said. "Shoppy is younger and Einar has more experience. It's just a matter of who will complement our club better."
Extra bases: Belliard hit a three-run homer off Steve Sparks and Ramon Vazquez contributed a two-run single as the Indians beat Houston, 5-2, in the Grapefruit League opener for both teams at Osceola County Stadium. ... Some Major League teams are sending scouts or front-office personnel to monitor their players in the World Baseball Classic. The Indians won't have anyone counting pitches or watching players in the tournament, but will keep an eye on their players. Wedge said the Indians will rely on the good judgment of the manager, coaches and players themselves to make sure all five return healthy. "We'll monitor the tournament," Wedge said. "Any red flags we'll address." ... Left-hander Tony Sipp, a non-roster invitee, pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out one. Wedge said Sipp joining the Indians at some point this season was "not beyond reason." "Look at our [lack of] left-handed depth; he's somebody we're going to keep an eye on," Wedge said.
Quotable: "He's a fighter. It may not show externally, but internally it's there." -- Wedge, on Westbrook
Coming up: The Indians will open the home portion of their Grapefruit League season at Chain of Lakes Park on Friday when they take on the Houston Astros beginning at 1:05 p.m. ET. Left-hander C.C. Sabathia will start for the Indians against Houston right-hander Taylor Buchholz. Sabathia will be the Indians' Opening Day starter Sunday, April 2, when Cleveland faces the World Series champion Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Other Indians scheduled to pitch Friday include left-hander Cliff Lee and right-handers Danny Graves, Steve Karsay, Matt Miller, Brian Slocum and Ben Howard.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
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