Cleveland Indians @ Bare Baseball - Baseball MLB Blog

Belliard strains hamstring, leaves game

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:01:00 +0000

07/19/2006
ANAHEIM -- Ronnie Belliard left Wednesday's game against the Angels in the fifth inning with a mild left hamstring strain.
Manger Eric Wedge couldn't put a timetable on when the Indians second baseman could return to the field, as the team didn't yet know the severity of the injury.
"We'll see how he feels [Thursday], then we'll have a better idea," Wedge said. "We'll know if it's something that is going to be a couple days or see if it will be more than that."
Belliard was hurt when he hit a high chopper to shortstop. After beating out Orlando Cabrera's throw, he reached to grab his leg and gingerly slowed up down the base line. Wedge and the Indians' training staff ran to shallow right field to assist the infielder.
After a few minutes, it was determined Belliard would be unable to continue, and the second baseman walked off the field without any assistance.
Ramon Vasquez entered as a pinch-runner and scored as part of the Tribe's five-run inning.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Big inning helps Indians get past Halos

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:00:00 +0000

07/19/2006
ANAHEIM -- Everything finally went right for manager Eric Wedge and his Indians. Well, except for one call in the ninth.
Wedge was ejected by home-plate umpire Ed Montague for arguing a changed strike-three call, but that didn't stop him from enjoying an end to his team's five-game losing streak. Behind a five-run fifth inning on Wednesday, the Indians escaped Southern California with a 6-4 win against the Angels.
The Indians did what several teams before them could not -- figure out Angels starter John Lackey. The Tribe's explosion in the fifth ended Lackey's scoreless inning streak at 30 2/3 frames.
In completing a 2-5 road trip that included losses to two Angels rookies and a Twins starter with an ERA north of 6.00, the Indians ironically book-ended the week with victories against the two hurlers that entered the day as the top ERA leaders in the American League.
"You don't like what happened in between, but to win the first one and win the last one against those two pitchers says a lot about our club," Wedge said, referring to Lackey and Twins phenom Francisco Liriano.
Wednesday's starter, Paul Byrd, had plenty to say about right fielder Casey Blake, who made a diving catch in the bottom of the sixth that stopped the tying runs from scoring.
With the Indians leading, 5-3, Chone Figgins sliced a ball into the right-field corner. With two outs, Blake sprinted to his left to snag the drive that was tailing away from him. If the right fielder had botched his attempt, the two Angels on base would have surely scored and, with the speedster Figgins at the plate, the play could have ended as an inside-the-park home run.
"That was the whole game, in my mind," Byrd said. "I am still amazed, I thought he had no chance."
Blake, himself, said he was just as surprised.
"I remember thinking I didn't know how I came up with it," he said. "I didn't think I had it until I looked at it in the glove."
Blake, who went 0-for-5 with a walk and hit into two double plays in Tuesday's loss, was just happy to contribute in some way.
"Personally, I was kind of a rally-killer [today and Tuesday]," he said. "It feels good to help out Byrdy and the team a little bit."
Blake's walk in the fifth sent Lackey (8-6) to the clubhouse, but not before the Indians got the big inning they had been striving for all series. The Tribe had baserunners all throughout its three games in Anaheim, but found it tough to push across multiple runs.
Ben Broussard put an end to Lackey's streak, driving a two-run homer on an inside fastball that tied the game at 2. Four of the next five Indians banged out hits, with Jhonny Peralta delivering a two-run single and Joe Inglett hitting an opposite-field RBI double.
Aaron Boone increased the Tribe's lead to 6-3 with a solo home run in the seventh.
The big fifth inning was essential for a team that entered the day having lost nine of its last 11 games.
"It's one step in the right direction," Broussard said.
Byrd (7-6) was his normal quality self. Never one to overpower hitters, he usually allows hits here and there and gets into jams. But almost always, he's able to get out of them with minimal damage.
Admittedly over-emotional and overthrowing because he was facing his former teammates, Byrd completed six innings and allowed three earned runs on 10 hits. He gave up Juan Rivera's third home run in two nights and two RBI singles to Vladimir Guerrero, but ended with the sixth quality start in his past eight games.
"I'm not good enough to stay in a place too long, but I'm not bad enough to retire," he said.
Inglett, playing in place of Grady Sizemore -- who hadn't been out of the starting lineup all season -- also helped Byrd out by playing the best game of his young Major League career.
He reached base five of the six times he came to the plate and raised his average from .176 to .286. His RBI that capped the Indians' five-run fifth was the first of his career.
A game like Wednesday's should do plenty for the 28-year-old's comfort level. Breaking out in the manner he did made Inglett feel he belongs on a Major League roster.
"It was a big-time confidence builder," said Inglett, who also swiped his first base. "Everything is starting to slow down, my heartbeat is not even that fast anymore."
Wedge became irritated in the ninth when closer Bob Wickman apparently struck out Figgins leading off the inning. Angels manager Mike Scioscia popped out of his dugout to protest that Figgins had tipped the ball to the ground. Montague conferred with third-base umpire Marvin Hudson and signaled for Figgins' at-bat to continue.
"A call with the opposite umpire is usually made right away, it's not something that's debated upon," Wedge said. "For them to change that call after the fact, I didn't think that was right."
Indians second baseman Ronnie Belliard left the game in the fifth when he strained his hamstring beating out an infield chopper. He is day-to-day.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Peralta looking to improve defensively

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 18:59:00 +0000

07/20/2006
CLEVELAND -- The Indians expect their young players to grow every year.
Jhonny Peralta's body took that notion literally.
When he reported to Spring Training in February, Peralta, then 23, against all logic, stood an inch and a half taller than he had in 2005, when he was listed at 6-foot-1. He had also gained 10 pounds, bulking up to about 205.
It was, as general manager Mark Shapiro put it, "a very late time to have a growth spurt."
For an organization that has long pondered whether Peralta might outgrow his shortstop position, the spurt has been somewhat of a concern. And Shapiro said he's not ruling out the possibility that it's played a role in what has been a frustrating defensive season for Peralta.
"[The spurt] can't be overlooked," Shapiro said.
Nor can the limited range and erratic throwing tendencies Peralta, who was signed to a five-year, $13 million contract in March, has displayed in this wayward '06 season. Through 90 games, he's committed 13 errors, second-most among AL shortstops. What have often been more glaring, though, are the balls Peralta is unable to get to.
Despite Peralta's struggles, the Indians have no immediate plans to move him elsewhere in the infield.
"Ten months ago, this guy was an average defensive shortstop we felt good about," Shapiro said. "Nothing that's happened this season leads me to believe he can't [again] be an average defender at short."
If hot prospect Andy Marte wasn't waiting in the wings at Triple-A Buffalo to take over Aaron Boone's third base spot, the Tribe might be exploring the possibility of making Peralta a third baseman in '07 or beyond.
"When they signed me in the Dominican to play professionally, they said my body is going to grow," Peralta said. "So they said in the future I could play third base. But I want to play shortstop."
Second base could be open next season, depending on how free-agent negotiations with Ronnie Belliard go, and manager Eric Wedge said earlier this year the club might look to put Peralta there at some point. But Shapiro said he is 100 percent certain Peralta will still be at short next year.
Not that he doesn't recognize Peralta's need for improvement.
"Jhonny's problems have been with pre-pitch setup," Shapiro said. "He needs to do a better job of anticipation, just as a lot of bigger-sized shortstops do. He needs to play a very mental, heady shortstop."
In '05, Peralta's defensive foibles were most frequent in the season's first two months. He made nine errors in the season's first 46 games, but only 10 in the final 95 games.
This year, the errors have been committed with more regularity. The most glaring came on June 28 in St. Louis, when his ninth-inning throwing error allowed the Cardinals to score the game's winning run. That drew the ire of Wedge, who had also called Peralta out earlier in the year for not running out a ground ball to first in the eighth inning of a 3-0 loss to the Tigers on May 13.
Looking at Peralta's season, to this point, Wedge couldn't help but detect a lack of focus.
"What he has to control is his mindset and his awareness," Wedge said. "I want his standards for himself to be higher."
When players sign long-term deals, an organization's greatest fear is that once the ink is dry, the player's work ethic will dry out as well. But no one with the Indians is openly questioning Peralta's dedication to his job.
"I don't think Jhonny's changed," Wedge said. "He's going through some difficult times this year. He needs to learn from it and have a better second half."
For his part, Peralta admitted the contract has gotten in his head a bit this season.
"You want to do everything better than the last year," he said. "I think I wanted to go out and do more than I could. I tried to rush and tried to make everything better than last year. But I had to relax and let it go to do my best."
After a brutal first two months of the season, Peralta appears to be much more relaxed at the plate. On June 14, his average had dipped to .222, but he's hit .331 (39-for-118) since that time to raise it up to .258. The key has been laying off breaking balls and changeups that he too often chased early on.
"I feel more comfortable," he said. "I'm swinging at better pitches, and I'm making good contact."
Peralta feels just as comfortable with his improvement as a defender.
"I think I'm doing better," he said. "I've made some errors, but errors are going to happen. My range is getting better, and I'm working every day."
With that work, the Tribe hopes Peralta will grow in a more figurative sense.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Indians trade Wickman to Braves

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 18:55:00 +0000

07/20/2006
CLEVELAND -- The Bob Wickman era has come to a close.
The Indians traded Wickman, their all-time saves leader, to the Braves for Class A catching prospect Maximiliano Ramirez on Thursday, marking their third deal involving a veteran member of the active roster in the past month.
With the Tribe out of contention for a playoff berth, general manager Mark Shapiro saw an opportunity to get an early read on what might be in store for his club in 2007.
The Wickman deal opens the door for 22-year-old right-hander Fausto Carmona to assume the closer's job for the final stretch of the '06 season.
"The standings speak for themselves and played a large role in the decision," Shapiro said. "In light of where we are, a lot of what we're doing is making quality decisions to make the club what we think can be a contender next year. The chance to look at Carmona in the closing role is very important to us."
Carmona began the year as the club's sixth starter. On May 12, though, he was called up from Triple-A Buffalo and placed in the bullpen. In 20 appearances since that time, he's gone 0-1 with a 1.03 ERA and pitched himself into the eighth-inning role.
"He's rapidly moved into that role," Shapiro said. "This will allow us to take a look at him the rest of the season in a closing role and see what happens. Until you give a player a look at that role, you never know."
The Indians always had a pretty good idea what they'd get out of the 37-year-old Wickman. Though he has a dramatic tendency to put baserunners on, he's one of the game's more effective closers.
In 156 save opportunities since being acquired by the Indians from the Brewers in the middle of the 2000 season, Wickman saved a club-record 139 games.
This year, Wickman was 15-for-18 in save situations, with his last coming Wednesday in the Indians' 6-4 win over the Angels. That appearance was the 750th of Wickman's big-league career.
Off the field, Wickman made a sizable contribution each year to Indians Charities through his Wickman's Warriors club.
"I think it's important to recognize what he's meant to this franchise and this city," Shapiro said. "His contributions on and off the field have been exceptional. In a lot of ways, he's not only an elite closer, but the way he did it with toughness and heart raised the standard for what it takes to be an effective closer in terms of toughness and mental makeup."
After looking for multi-year closing options last winter, the Indians eventually settled on re-signing Wickman, who saved 45 games in '05, to a one-year, $5 million deal for '06. He surpassed Doug Jones as the all-time saves leader on May 7 in Seattle when he notched his 138th save as an Indians closer.
With the club struggling, though, Wickman's save opportunities this season have been sporadic. The Braves, meanwhile, are desperate for veteran relief help for a squad that has vaulted itself back into the playoff picture.
Because he has 10 years of service time in the Majors and five with the same club, Wickman had the right to veto the trade.
"Bob expressed a lot of concerns about leaving the team," Shapiro said. "He had a strong sense of conscience not to abandon us. At the same time, where he is in career, he signed to be on a contender. That's what this trade offers him the opportunity to do."
The Wickman trade is the third such deal made by the Indians since the club effectively fell out of the American League Central race. Jason Johnson was dealt to the Red Sox for cash on June 21, and Eduardo Perez was traded to the Mariners for middle-infield prospect Asdrubal Cabrera on June 30.
Like Cabrera, Ramirez won't be making an immediate impact on the Indians.
The 21-year-old Ramirez, a native of Venezuela, has spent this season at Class A Rome, where he's hit .285 with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 267 at-bats.
Known more for his offense than his defense, Ramirez was the Co-Player of the Year in the Appalachian League in '05 and was a starting catcher in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game earlier this month.
"He's young, he's far away and he still has a lot of work to do as a defender," Shapiro said of Ramirez. "But he's a guy who's got the tools and bat to be a good prospect. He's a guy we're excited to have."
The public perception will most likely be that the Indians didn't land much in exchange for Wickman. But Shapiro pointed out that the Braves are only acquiring the veteran as a two-month rental, and he insisted the Indians chose Ramirez over some higher-level prospects from other teams. The Tribe's farm system is weak at catcher, while the Braves' system is loaded at the position.
"At times, you have to go lower to get a high-ceiling player," Shapiro said. "It comes down to a choice between a lower-ceiling player at an upper level, or do you take a little more risk on a guy with a higher ceiling at a lower level. This is the guy we chose."
With 11 days remaining before the non-waiver trading deadline, Shapiro is still talking with other clubs about potential deals.
"Most likely, this one will have the biggest magnitude of any that we could make," he said. "But this is a period of time where you are constantly talking to a lot of other teams. When you talk to teams, the potential for deals always comes up. It's not out of the question that we could make a smaller deal, and it's not out of the question that something bigger arises."

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Notes: Shapiro pays attention to depth

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:48:00 +0000

03/01/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Mark Shapiro doesn't have much interest in watching the likes of Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabathia and Travis Hafner this spring.
The Indians general manager knows what those players are capable of.
Shapiro would rather put the majority of his attention on guys like Franklin Gutierrez, Ryan Garko, Fausto Carmona and Jeremy Sowers -- players who won't break camp with the big league club but who could make an impact with the Tribe further down the line.
"Depth decisions are some of the primary things I'm focusing on," Shapiro said. "They won't matter much on April 2. But on May 13, they could be huge."
The official evaluation period for those on-the-cusp players began with this week's intrasquad games at Chain of Lakes Park. The Indians will open their Grapefruit League schedule Thursday in Kissimmee, against the Astros.
As far as the big league roster is concerned, the Tribe has little competition for roster spots to sort through. The only real question marks are the last bullpen spot (Danny Graves, Steve Karsay, Jason Davis and Andrew Brown are the leading candidates), the backup catcher's job (Kelly Shoppach and Einar Diaz) and the utility infielder's role (Ramon Vazquez and Brandon Phillips).
"We want to set the roster as early as we can," Shapiro said. "This year, the decisions are so few."
One goal of Spring Training will be to have the 25-man roster basically nailed down before the last week of exhibition games, so that the final team will have a chance to gel and bond before heading to Chicago for the April 2 opener.
"We want to improve our readiness and preparedness for April," Shapiro said. "The core of our team is in place. If we feel it's easy, we want to make our decisions sooner."
Classic combatants: With Sabathia officially out of the mix for the World Baseball Classic, the Indians have five players listed as potential participants in the tournament.
Eduardo Perez and Cabrera are confirmed to be representing Puerto Rico, while Rafael Betancourt and Victor Martinez are set to play for Venezuela.
The only question mark is second baseman Ronnie Belliard, who is on a list of 32 players being considered for the Dominican Republic squad. That list must be whittled down to 30 players by noon ET on Thursday.
Belliard is fresh off playing a full season of winter ball, including the Caribbean Series, so one could forgive him if he's a bit tired. But he said the tournament is still something he's interested in.
"It's just like the Caribbean Series," he said. "I've played in that the last four or five years. It feels good when you win and bad when you lose."
Team B goes 2-0: It was another day and another 3-1 victory for Team B in the Indians' intrasquad action Wednesday.
Bob Wickman, held to a pitch count in the low 20s, didn't complete the first inning, as he got into trouble by giving up an RBI single to Team B's Victor Martinez. Shoppach added a two-run double off Jason Stanford for Team B in the fifth.
Ramon Vazquez hit a solo home run off Davis in the fourth inning to give Team A its only run.
Other highlights included a nice scoop of a ball at first base by Travis Hafner, who's looking to put some time in at the position this season.
Phillips was nailed on the left hand by a pitch from Davis after Vazquez's home run. But manager Eric Wedge said the hand checked out fine and did not require X-rays.
Sign 'em up: The Indians agreed to terms on contracts for the 2006 season with 12 more players Wednesday.
The latest batch includes infielders Michael Aubrey, Andy Marte and Garko, outfielders Gutierrez, Brad Snyder and Jason Dubois, right-handers Fernando Cabrera, Carmona, Davis, Ed Mujica and Kaz Tadano and left-hander Rafael Perez.
Five unsigned players remain on the 40-man roster. The deadline for contract renewal is March 11.
Going, going ... gone: The Indians announced that tickets for the April 7 home opener against the Twins have sold out more than a month earlier than in 2005.
This is the 13th consecutive sellout for Opening Day at Jacobs Field since the ballpark opened in 1994.
Single-game tickets for regular-season home games go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. ET. A free open house will be held at the ballpark from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.
Small-screen star: Popular center fielder Grady Sizemore appeared on ESPN2's "Cold Pizza" program Wednesday to discuss the outlook for the Indians this season.
Each portion of the team was given a preseason grade, including a B-plus for the lineup.
"Hopefully we'll get some extra credit and bump that grade up," Sizemore said.
Then things got a little silly, as host Jay Crawford, a Sandusky, Ohio, native, had Sizemore compare the current Indians to the characters in the movie "Major League." Jake Taylor apparently has nothing on the grittiness of Victor Martinez.
Tribe tidbits: The Indians have extended their player development contract with the Class A Kinston Indians of the Carolina League through the 2008 season. ... Right-hander Jake Westbrook will get the start in Thursday's game against the Astros. He'll go up against right-hander Dan Wheeler. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. ET.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Hollandsworth expects to make roster

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:46:00 +0000

03/01/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Todd Hollandsworth knows the "non-roster invitee" tag can look like a scarlet letter, of sorts.
It's not the type of label he expected to ever have affixed to his bio back in 1996, when he was the National League Rookie of the Year.
But Hollandsworth knows a spot is waiting for him on the Indians' 25-man roster when all is said and done this spring. That's why he had no problem signing a Minor League deal with the club in January.
"Even though you get the 'non-roster' tag early on, that didn't bother me," he said. "[General manager Mark Shapiro] was pretty clear what the direction was. I understood the position they were in at the time with their roster. He just basically said, 'You come in and do your thing, and you're on the team.'"
Hollandsworth's "thing" could impact the club both on and off the field.
His career has shown him the best and worst the big leagues have to offer, from the highs of winning a World Series with the Marlins in 2003 to the lows of missing most of the 2001 and 2004 seasons with a fractured right shin.
Needless to say, the 32-year-old Hollandsworth has plenty of experiences to draw from when giving advice to the Tribe's young players.
"The highs and lows. That's how the book on me has been," he said. "I have a lot to pass on. That's the reality. You have to grasp each and every year and take it with you."
One of those years that has special significance is 1997, Hollandsworth's sophomore season with the Dodgers. After being named Rookie of the Year in a '96 season that saw him hit .291 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs from the second spot of the lineup, Hollandsworth was moved to the seven hole.
With that move, Hollandsworth figured, came increased expectations for him to drive in runs. He thought he was suddenly going to be counted on to hit more homers.
"Ask anybody who was in charge back then, and they'll probably say they didn't ask me to do that," he said. "But I gave myself the problem. I wasn't a No. 2 hitter anymore. I was a No. 7 hitter. I allowed myself to get caught up too much in changing myself."
Sure enough, Hollandsworth struggled that year, batting .247 with just four home runs and 31 RBIs.
Talk about a learning experience. In fact, it's an experience Hollandsworth will probably find himself talking about with Indians youngsters Grady Sizemore and Jhonny Peralta, both of whom are coming off breakout first years.
"My advice to them would be that you can't be more than you're capable of being," he said. "There's obvious expectation, because you had a great year. You lived up to what everybody said. But don't believe the hype.
"Someone once said to me, 'You're never as bad as you think you are, and you're never as good as you think you are.' Keep that in your back pocket."
Another lesson Hollandsworth wishes he would have learned sooner revolves around the value of shin guards.
In 2001, while playing for the Rockies, the left-handed Hollandsworth chopped hard at a cut fastball from a right-hander, slicing the ball directly into his right shin, fracturing the bone and crushing a nerve.
Almost unfathomably, he did the exact same thing three years later, this time in a Cubs uniform.
"Crazy, fluky stuff," he said. "It's been two abrupt halts to a season."
Hollandsworth came back from the second injury to make the Cubs' Opening Day lineup last season. When he hit just .111 in 36 at-bats in May, though, he found himself on the bench.
The veteran had been forced to adjust to a utility role before, though. In '03, he gave way to young prospect Miguel Cabrera in the Marlins outfield.
"That was one of the toughest years of my career," he said. "But at the same time, I was happy to contribute, regardless of what the circumstances were."
Hollandsworth, who will make $900,000 this season if he makes the 25-man roster, is in a similar situation with the Indians, who will count on him to be the backup at all three outfield spots, in addition to getting some pinch-hit opportunities.
"I think there are a minimum of 300 at-bats for me here," he said. "I believe that in my heart, and I think it's going to happen. I think the better I perform, the more there could be."
Regardless of how often he gets to the plate, Hollandsworth's words of wisdom to young players looking for advice could benefit the Tribe.
"I'm not the kind of guy who's going to call meetings," he said. "But at the same time, I'm compassionate. I can talk to a guy about something that can help. That's what comes with being a veteran on a team with some younger players. You're kind of like an older brother."
That's a tag that suits Hollandsworth much better.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Making the transition to first base

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:40:00 +0000

03/01/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Spring Training is in full swing, and everything is going great.
We have been at it for about a week now, and all of the guys are getting into shape and getting excited for the upcoming season. We have spent the last few days working on our individual skills, as well as some team drills and live batting practice. Our team drills include bunt plays, first and third defense, cutoffs, pickoffs and rundowns. We do the same drills in camp every year, and it does get pretty tedious, but these are very important parts of the game and all the guys take them very seriously.
Most of the responses I received after my first diary entry were about making the move from catching to first base, so I thought I would write about it this week. I am pretty excited about making the move, because I think it will only increase my value as a player and help me make rosters down the road. I definitely am not giving up catching, and I still plan to do that at some point again in my career. But it is my goal to be an everyday player with the Indians, and the more versatile I am can only help me achieve it.
A lot is demanded of a player when he learns a new position at the big-league level. So far in my experience, the biggest adjustment has been having balls hit at me by other players. A catcher has a totally different view of the game than the other eight guys on the diamond. Turning around and having to go after balls off the bat is a much different experience than receiving the ball from a pitcher.
Reading the ball off the bat seems to be the most important thing for me to work on right now. My footwork around the bag feels good, and picking balls in the dirt is pretty easy after dealing with balls in the dirt as a catcher all the time. But seeing the ball off the bat is something a catcher never experiences. Other than that, I have to know where to be in every situation and continue to work on scooping throws out of the dirt. I am definitely learning that this is not an easy position to play, if you want to be a good first baseman. There are a number of nuances and skills the good ones have that save runs for their teams and errors for their teammates.
I appreciate all of the e-mails and questions I received, and I thought I would answer a couple this week. Games start this week, and I can't wait to get out there and start playing again. Until next week, take care.
With things like aluminum bats, playing positions, and innings pitched by pitchers, would you recommend or not recommend the college experience for high school draftees (say, those drafted in the first five rounds)? Also, outside of baseball, what has the Stanford experience in particular given you? -- Scott C.
I get asked questions about college all the time. The funny thing is, looking around the locker room, there are a hundred different guys in the room and each one has taken a different path to get there. For me personally, there is no amount of money I would trade for my college experience. I got to play for a great coach at a great school, and I learned a great deal about life and the game of baseball. Pro ball is fun, but it is definitely a job and it is a grind. I am glad I made the choice to stay in school and be a kid for four more years.
Do the veteran players mingle with the new kids on the block, such as yourself? -- Lee M.
The older guys on the team definitely share a lot of advice with the young players. I feel lucky to have so many guys that are role models in the same locker room. It definitely makes the transition from the Minor Leagues to the Major Leagues a much easier one. My go-to guy on most subjects is actually Grady Sizemore. Even tough he is a younger guy, he has proved himself in every way and has a lot of good advice about breaking in and succeeding out of Buffalo.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Sabathia pulls out of Baseball Classic

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:39:00 +0000

03/01/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The thought began to creep into C.C. Sabathia's mind a week or so before he reported to Spring Training camp.
He knew his left arm wasn't ready for the grind of the World Baseball Classic, and he wondered how he was going to get it ready in the span of a month.
On Wednesday, Sabathia decided it wasn't worth the risk, as he relinquished his spot on the 30-man roster for Team USA. The Mets' Billy Wagner did the same, and the two pitchers were replaced by Gary Majewski of the Nationals and Al Leiter of the Yankees.
For the 25-year-old Sabathia, the decision came down to a simple matter of preparation.
"I'm not ready to pitch in meaningful games this early in the year," he said. "Under different circumstances, I would love to participate. But it didn't feel right."
What set Sabathia back was the fact that he had to start his offseason throwing program later than usual, because of flooding near his home in Fairfield, Calif.
"I didn't get to do the amount of long-toss I would have liked to do," he said.
Sabathia, who will be the Indians' Opening Day starter on April 2 in Chicago, has to be careful with his approach early in the year. He is not without his history of April injuries.
In April of 2003, Sabathia left a start because of a hyperextended elbow. He missed two weeks in April of '04 because of an irritated biceps tendon. And he began last season on the disabled list after pulling his right oblique muscle while warming up before a start in Spring Training.
Sabathia said those injuries didn't play into his thinking about the Classic, but he certainly didn't want to get off to another slow start in '06.
After pitching one inning of an intrasquad game Tuesday, Sabathia told reporters he was having second thoughts about the tournament. Though his arm didn't necessarily feel bad, it just didn't feel up to par for participation in games of importance.
"It was a tough decision," he said. "It's something I've been thinking about for a while. It just didn't feel right. I felt pretty good [Tuesday] throwing, but it was something in the back of my mind."
Also in the back of Sabathia's mind is his own competitive nature. He'd like to believe he could treat the Classic games like any Grapefruit League game, but he knows better.
"Pitching in front of 30,000 or 40,000 in the tournament is a lot different than pitching in front of a few hundred people in Kissimmee," he said. "I know how competitive I am, and I know the type of person I am."
That competitiveness is one of the reasons Sabathia, who went 15-10 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts last season, seemed a bit sullen at having to announce that he's pulling out of the event.
In 2000, he was selected to the 28-man roster for the U.S. Olympic team. But when it became clear he would only be used out of the bullpen, the Indians had him withdraw.
"This is the second time around," he said. "Maybe it's not meant to be."
Count Sabathia among those who would rather see the Classic played in the middle of the season. He thinks players would be receptive to that idea.
"Maybe how they do hockey and the Olympics, when they shut [the NHL] down for 10 days or so," he said. "[The World Baseball Classic] is a great tournament, and baseball is going to benefit from it. I think if they get the timing better for pitchers, it would be a lot better."
The timing just didn't work out for this particular pitcher.
"Some guys take a little bit longer to get warmed up than other guys," Sabathia said. "I'm one of those guys who needs a little time to get ready and get right."

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Notes: Belliard will play in Classic

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:38:00 +0000

03/02/2006
KISSIMMEE, 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/

Will April prove kinder to Tribe in '06?

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:36:00 +0000

03/02/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Spring is not only a time for rampant optimism, it is also the season of "what ifs." As in, what if the Cleveland Indians hadn't stumbled out of the starting gate last season? What if the Tribe hadn't dug themselves an 11 1/2-game hole by May 8?
What if this notoriously slow-starting team manages to avoid another April face plant like the one that essentially cost the team a playoff spot despite a 93-win season in 2005?
Taking nothing away from the World Series champion Chicago White Sox, but the Indians also have the talent to go all the way in 2006. Having that talent and getting to October for the Indians means getting off to a good start, and that's something they haven't been able to do since 2001, when the club went 14-9 in April.
Last year, the Indians' silent spring continued into May, when they found themselves 12-18 and in fourth place in the American League Central, 11 1/2 games behind the White Sox.
As has been their penchant since Eric Wedge became manager before the 2003 season, the Indians warmed up along with the weather. As the mercury rose so did Cleveland's level of play.
They were one of the hottest teams in the Major Leagues from May 8 until season's end, posting an 81-51 record (.614 winning percentage) to finish second to the White Sox by six games. Cleveland's record for that span tied St. Louis for the second-best winning percentage in baseball, trailing only the New York Yankees (82-48, .631).
The Indians, 93-69, finished with the sixth-best record in baseball and the best of any team not in the playoffs. Cleveland's regular-season record was better than three teams that made the playoffs.
As with most team slumps, the cause of Cleveland's early slide was not a result of any one performance, but a combination of numerous contributing factors, including catcher Victor Martinez hitting .207 in April. Third baseman Aaron Boone had the worst April of his career, hitting .123. Outfielder Casey Blake batted only .188, shortstop Jhonny Peralta .222, first baseman Ben Broussard .239 and outfielder Grady Sizemore .233 during the regular season's first month. Meanwhile, three-fifths of the rotation -- Scott Elarton, Jake Westbrook and Kevin Millwood -- were a combined 0-9 with a 5.76 ERA during April.
Wedge is well aware of what happened but isn't going to change what the team normally does in March. There will be no significant changes such as starting the regulars earlier in the Grapefruit League season.
"Our focus is on preparing for the regular season, for 162 games," Wedge said. "I think there's multiple factors that leads me to believe we'll get off to a better start this year."
Such as?
"The fact that we're still getting better as a ballclub, I think that the experience we've gained and some of the expectations that we've battled through, [there are] a lot of firsts that these guys have gotten out of the way that will allow them to do that much better the next time around, and they've already shown us that they can do that," Wedge said.
For the Indians, the focus is not on remembering April, but on continuing what they were doing during the second half of last season.
Odds are they will avoid such a poor start again, if only because such proven talents as Martinez, a career .293 hitter who hit .380 after the All-Star break last year to boost his average to .305, are unlikely to start so poorly two seasons in a row.
Wedge is no doubt correct when he cites experience as a factor this time. All the Indians remember what happened last spring and seem determined to avoid a repeat.
For many the individual situations have changed in their favor as well. A year ago all eyes were on Peralta, but he has since played his way out of the shadow of the man he replaced, Omar Vizquel. Sizemore has proven he is the real deal. Martinez is the best young offensive catcher in the game.
Cliff Lee has arrived as one of the better lefty starters in the league, and with C.C. Sabathia gives the Indians an excellent 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. The rotation and bullpen are stronger and the bench deeper than it was last spring. There are fewer health questions and more experience than a year ago.
There's much to like about this team. It is a team with no major flaws and one certainly capable of going all the way in 2006.
Provided they can avoid another fall in the spring.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Indians race past Astros in opener

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:34:00 +0000

03/02/2006
Indians at the plate: Second baseman Ronnie Belliard knocked a three-run homer off Steve Sparks in the fifth, giving the Tribe a 5-2 lead. Shortstop Ramon Vazquez also contributed a two-run single in that frame.
Astros at the plate: First baseman Eric Munson drove in Houston's first hit with a single to right-center in the second, and designated hitter Craig Biggio followed with an RBI single to center. Second baseman Chris Burke recorded a double in the first, and right fielder Charlton Jimerson tripled in the sixth.
Indians on the mound: Starter Jake Westbrook pitched two innings, allowing five hits, two runs and no walks. He struck out one.
Astros on the mound: Starter Dan Wheeler threw six pitches in his one inning of work, allowing no hits. Brad Lidge followed with a 16-pitch second frame, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Grapefruit League records: Indians 1-0; Astros 0-1.
Up next: The Astros return the visit from the Indians with a trip to Winter Haven on Friday, marking their first spring road game. Right-hander Taylor Buchholz is scheduled to start for Houston. Cleveland lefty C.C. Sabathia will take the mound first for the Tribe.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Komminsk recalls stint in Italy

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:32:00 +0000

03/02/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Brad Komminsk was jobless in 1994.
He had gone through Spring Training in the White Sox camp, but the team released him before Opening Day. So Komminsk went looking for work in baseball. He wasn't overly particular about what kind, either.
But not even he expected to end up playing in Europe.
"Some guy called me and says, 'Hey, you wanna go to Italy?'" Komminsk said. "I said, 'Yeah.' I always wanted to go to Europe, you know. I thought I'd play some baseball and have a great time."
Komminsk, 44, did both. He also learned that baseball had a reach far beyond the borders of North and South America. He joined the likes of pitchers Rick Waite and Jim Morrison as real-life Yankees spreading the gospel of baseball on foreign soil.
Now, Komminsk was quick to point out that he didn't go to Italy to be a pioneer. He went to play baseball, which he'd done all of his adult life. Having spent parts of eight seasons in the Majors, he was a baseball player, and in chasing the baseball, he didn't hesitate to let the game take him where it did.
"I really didn't know what to expect in Italy," he said. "But it was fun. I really enjoyed it. I had a great time over there."
But he knew early on that it wasn't the Major Leagues. The 10 Division I teams in Italy played games twice a week. He remembered facing some decent players there, though nobody in the league resembled Alex Rodriguez, Albert Belle, Ken Griffey Jr. or Greg Maddux.
A good comparison, Komminsk said, might be to a college baseball team. And those college teams had equipment that Komminsk warmed to quickly.
"Aluminum bats," he said, smiling. "It was great!"
What also was great was the treatment. He found the Italians, who are fielding a team for the World Baseball Classic, eager to embrace the game and its players, and he liked exploring a place that he'd never been to before.
He didn't delude himself that he was in the Majors and playing against top talents.
"It's not their job, you know; it's secondary," he said of the Italian players. "They all have other jobs, so you work around their schedule. [In the U.S.], you're a professional; it's your job. This is what we do for a living."
He remained mindful of the differences. He understood them, and he even learned to embrace them.
After all, he was playing baseball; he was having fun, which was what mattered most to him.
Komminsk, now a roving instructor with the Indians, spent two seasons in Italy before a dispute with the team owner made him realize he needed to return to the U.S. in 1995. He hasn't been back to Italy.
"I'd love to go back," he said. "One of these days, I'll go back."

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Notes: Vazquez trying to stick

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:31:00 +0000

03/03/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Ramon Vazquez was an early, early arrival to the Indians' Spring Training camp, as much for family matters as professional issues.
"I came down 10 days early," Vazquez said, "because I wanted to take my family to Disney World."
Vazquez is hoping the next family trip is to Chicago, where the Indians open the season April 2.
Acquired in a midseason trade with the Red Sox last summer, Vazquez was a utility infielder for the Tribe down the stretch in 2005. But he appeared in just 12 games, going 6-for-24 at the plate.
Now the 29-year-old Puerto Rican is fighting to keep his utility job, with wayward prospect Brandon Phillips serving as his stiffest competition.
In these early days of action, Vazquez has drawn the first sword in that battle. He looked good at the plate in two intrasquad games this week with an RBI double and a solo home run, and he added a two-run single against the Astros in the Grapefruit League opener Thursday in Kissimmee.
But while he's making noise with his bat initially, Vazquez knows his greatest bargaining chip in this competition is his glove.
"I'm confident," he said. "There's not too many guys who can go out there and play three different positions, and I'm willing to do that. I also played first before in San Diego [where he played from 2002-04]. Plus, I'm a left-handed hitter, and all the infielders here are right-handed hitters. It's a good break for them if they need a day off."
Vazquez is hoping manager Eric Wedge gets a bit of a better feel for what he's capable of this spring.
"I'm happy to be here so he can see me play," Vazquez said. "He had no idea what kind of player I am last year. It would have been hard for him to throw me out there in a playoff run. But now he can get more of an idea of what I can do, and he can get some confidence in me."
Talks continue: Contract talks between the Indians and Jhonny Peralta's agent, Bill Rego, continued Thursday, as the two sides had another meeting.
For now, a long-term contract for Peralta is still being discussed, but the talks have been nothing more than preliminary, Rego said.
The Indians are reportedly involved in similar discussions with Joe Urban, the agent for Grady Sizemore.
Good feel, bad result: C.C. Sabathia was asked if the silver lining in his rough Grapefruit League debut Friday was that the outing did not come in the World Baseball Classic, where someone's keeping score.
"They're keeping score today, too," Sabathia said.
True. And the scoring was ugly in Sabathia's 1 2/3 innings of work against the Astros at Chain of Lakes Park. He was tagged for seven runs, five of which were earned, on six hits in the start.
"I felt good," Sabathia said. "With my fastballs, I was missing down. But for the most part, I was right around the plate."
And Sabathia, who opted out of the Classic earlier this week because he wasn't prepared to pitch in meaningful games, was all over the diamond, too.
"I backed up a lot of bases," he said with a smile. "I guess that's good, because I got my cardio in."
Lunch time: The Indians will hold their fifth annual First Pitch Luncheon on Tuesday, April 11, at noon ET in the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University.
The luncheon gives fans the opportunity to see and meet the entire Tribe roster and includes a 45-minute autograph session. Tickets can be purchased by calling (216) 420-HITS. Proceeds from the luncheon, which is put on by the Indians' corporate partner, Continental Airlines, will benefit Cleveland Indians Charities.
Tribe tidbits: X-rays on Lou Merloni's left hand were inconclusive Friday. Merloni, who was pegged on the hand by a pitch from the Astros' Dave Borkowski in Thursday's game in Kissimmee, was set to undergo an MRI on Friday evening to determine whether or not he has a stress fracture. ... Former Indians pitcher Vern Ruhle, who is now the pitching coach for the Reds, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer during a routine physical at the beginning of Spring Training. For now, Ruhle, who pitched for the Tribe in the 1985 season, will continue his duties with the Reds while receiving treatment for the disease. ... The Tribe will hold its open house at Jacobs Field from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, in conjunction with the on-sale date for single-game tickets for the '06 season. ... Monday's game between the Indians and Mets in Port St. Lucie will be broadcast live by ESPN at 1:10 p.m.
On deck: Break up the Indians. Well, that's what the schedule will do Saturday. Half the club will head to Ft. Myers to face the Twins in a 1:05 p.m. game. Right-hander Fausto Carmona will go up against right-hander Boof Bonser. Here in Winter Haven, the rest of the Indians will face the Tigers at 1:05 p.m. Right-hander Paul Byrd will get his first spring start against left-hander Wilfredo Ledezma.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Sabathia rusty in loss to Astros

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:30:00 +0000

03/03/2006
Astros at the plate: Jason Lane had a big day, notching an RBI double in the first inning off C.C. Sabathia, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the second and cranking out a solo home run off Cliff Lee in the fourth. Chris Burke got the Astros on the board with a run-scoring triple in the first. Second baseman Eric Bruntlett cleared the bases with a double in the second.
Indians at the plate: Jason Michaels knocked in the Tribe's first run with a hard-hit single in the third off Fernando Nieve, and Jhonny Peralta followed with a three-run homer to right-center field. The two are expected to provide a similar punch in the two and three spots of the lineup this season. Non-roster invitee Ryan Mulhern added a solo shot off right-hander Jason Hirsh in the sixth.
Astros on the mound: Right-handed starter Tyler Buchholz had a nice, painless day, holding the Indians scoreless on one hit in his two innings of work. Nieve had a tougher go of it, giving up four runs on four hits in two innings.
Indians on the mound: Sabathia didn't look very sharp, as he was beaten up for seven runs, five of which were earned, on six hits over 1 2/3 innings. Lee was touched for a run on two hits with no walks and two strikeouts in his two innings of work.
Cactus League records: Astros, 1-1; Indians, 1-1.
Up next: The Indians will have split-squad games at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Tigers in Winter Haven and against the Twins in Fort Myers on Saturday. Right-hander Paul Byrd will get the start at home, with right-hander Fausto Carmona starting on the road. The Astros will return home to Kissimmee to play the Braves at 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Roy Oswalt will get the start.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/

Notes: Mota to make debut Wednesday

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:29:00 +0000

03/04/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Pain? What pain? Guillermo Mota knows pain, and this isn't it.
"When you're hurt, you're hurt," he said Saturday, "and I'm not hurt."
So, please, Mota family and friends, stop calling the 32-year-old reliever with your sympathy, stop sending the get well cards and stop wondering why he has yet to pitch in an exhibition game for his new Indians club.
Mota's elbow and shoulder, which gave him nothing but trouble in 2005, are just fine, thanks, and the right-hander will make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday against the Mets.
"I've had a lot of people call me and say, 'How's your arm?'" he said. "I'm not hurt. I just had tendinitis. I have no pain. My arm was weak last year because of tendinitis. People think because I pitched in winter ball and I was hurt last year that I'm in pain. But I'm not."
Those erroneous reports of a failed physical during the course of the Coco Crisp trade that brought him to Cleveland didn't help.
But Mota reported to Jacobs Field shortly after the trade was completed, and the Indians put him on a training regimen that had him ready for Spring Training camp.
While he has yet to pitch in a game situation, he's been throwing at full velocity in his bullpen sessions, and he looks to be in fine form.
"It's surprising to see how good a feel he has for his changeup," pitching coach Carl Willis said. "He has a great idea of what he wants to do. He can simulate facing a hitter very well."
Mota, who went 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 56 appearances with the Marlins last season, is slated to be the Indians' eighth-inning setup man and emergency closer.
"I'm just getting ready for the season and getting ready for the year," he said. "That's where my mind is. They want to take it slow from the beginning."
Get out there: Relievers are expected to work on the fly during the season, so why shouldn't that be the case in an exhibition game?
Ben Howard, a non-roster invitee in camp who's hoping to find a job in the Indians' bullpen this season, was unexpectedly called to duty in the second inning of Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros when starter C.C. Sabathia reached his pitch count.
Howard came in with two outs and a man on second and worked out of the jam.
"I was actually scheduled to pitch the ninth inning, but I guess that was better," Howard said. "You don't have to think about it all day. You get out there and get into it."
Howard, a right-hander who compiled a 5.50 ERA in 31 appearances with the Marlins in '04 but pitched solely for Triple-A Albuquerque last season, joined the Indians as a six-year Minor League free agent. He's likely to be Buffalo-bound.
"You've got to be realistic with yourself," he said. "There are guys ahead of me from an experience standpoint. Hopefully I'll put together a good spring and show them what I'm capable of. If I don't break with the team, hopefully I'll be up soon."
Wickman wired: Closer Bob Wickman refutes the notion that he's injury-prone, as he's come to be labeled in many media reports.
"I've only had one injury, and that was Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on my elbow," he said. "That's the only time I've been on the DL."
Wickman, who used just 10 pitches to retire the side in Saturday's split-squad game against the Tigers, said he doesn't feel he has anything to prove this year, especially after notching 45 saves in '05.
"As long as the intensity is there," he said, "that's all I'm looking for."
Line 'em up: The Indians have a pretty good idea how their rotation will shake out, but beyond the fact that left-hander Sabathia will start Opening Day in Chicago, nothing has been announced.
"We've tentatively set it up, but we haven't said anything about it," Willis said. "But if everybody stays healthy, the rotation's going to be pretty obvious here in the next four or five days."
Left-hander Cliff Lee and right-handers Paul Byrd, Jake Westbrook and Jason Johnson round out the rotation.
Checkmate: The games of cards that are so prevalent in so many big-league clubhouses give way to games of chess where the Indians are concerned.
Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie has been taking on all comers in games of chess in the media lunchroom at Chain of Lakes Park. Apparently, the Stanford graduate knows what he's doing.
"This guy is the man," an impressed Paul Byrd said in the middle of a game earlier this week.
Tribe tidbits: X-rays and an MRI on utility infielder Lou Merloni's right hand didn't turn up a stress fracture, as had been feared. Merloni was hit on the hand by a pitch in the ninth inning of Thursday's exhibition opener against the Astros in Kissimmee. The hand was giving him trouble Saturday, though, so he was held out of action. ... The Indians had pretty good attendance for the open house at Jacobs Field on Saturday morning, as upward of 7,000 fans came to see the ballpark. The event was held in conjunction with single-game tickets for the '06 season going on sale.
On deck: The Indians will return to full-squad action with Sunday's 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Braves at Chain of Lakes Park. Right-hander Jason Johnson will get his first spring start against Atlanta right-hander Kyle Davies.

Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/