We'll begin today with a little Ozzie Guillen for your enjoyment. This was Guillen's response to the speculation that Eric Wedge is on the hot seat:

"Sometimes you got to look at what the players do. To me, the manager manages the clubhouse, make sure those guys go out there every day and play hard. To me? I'm begging to get fired every month. I'm not afraid of this job, but I don't think it's an easy job.

"When a hitter doesn't hit, it's the hitting coach's fault. When a pitcher is pitching well, it's the pitching coach's fault. How about what happened to the players? When am I going to hear that? I played the game for a long time, so I can say that. They never blame those guys. When am I going to hear that? Players are out there making $20 million. Why are they going to blame the manager? But it's always going to be like that. How about performing? Perform on the field. That's all you have to do."

Sounds easy enough. Now, let's get to the news and notes.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff said there is a strong chance Grady Sizemore has arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow after the season. For now, Sizemore is playing through elbow symptoms and will do so for the remainder of the year.
• Scott Lewis will visit Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., next week. Usually, that's a sure sign a guy is headed for elbow surgery, but Soloff said the Indians are not recommending surgery for Lewis. He said they want to tap into Andrews' expertise for input on how to "get Scott over the hump." Lewis pulled himself from a rehab start at Akron after four innings on June 21 because his left elbow is still bothering him.
• Jake Westbrook was shut down for two weeks with complications with his right elbow, and he'll begin a return-to-throw program Thursday. The Indians are targeting a late July/early August return to the bigs for Westbrook, barring any more setbacks.
• Luis Vizcaino, designated for assignment on June 23, was released today.
• As discussed in the blog yesterday, Wedge has just three regular outfielders at his disposal at the moment, and one of them, Ben Francisco, is 8-for-his-last-69. So Wedge's options for left field are to play Francisco or stick one of his infielders, Ryan Garko or Chris Gimenez, out there. Tonight, with ace Cliff Lee on the mound, Wedge is going with his best defensive alignment by starting Francisco.
• But Wedge hinted that this outfield situation won't be in effect for long. "We're still not set in stone here," Wedge said. "We're trying to decide what we want to do."
• Obviously, Matt LaPorta's and Michael Brantley's names have probably come up in those conversations.
• In this week's Sports Illustrated, the magazine releases the results of a survey of 380 Major League players that asked, "Which manager do you least want to play for?" Wedge finished in a tie for fourth in the voting by getting 4 percent of the vote, along with Joe Torre (who, by the way, finished second in an SI poll asking players who they most want to play for). Lou Piniella is first on the "least" list, with 26 percent, Guillen is second, with 21 percent, and Tony LaRussa is third, with 10 percent.
• I'm not sure you could script a worse team debut than the one turned in by Chris Perez last night, especially when you consider that he arrived in a trade that shipped out a popular player in Mark DeRosa. Wedge said that, given the circumstances, you have to give Perez a mulligan. "He was amped up and overthrowing," Wedge said.
• Wedge said he's trying to get Ryan Garko more consistent at-bats. But because of the Lee-Shoppach marriage, Garko is not in tonight's lineup.
• Frankly, I was surprised Wedge used Perez in that situation, considering he told reporters he planned to ease Perez into action in low-leverage situations. Though the Indians were trailing, a two-run game in the ninth does not strike me as low-leverage. Had Perez put up a zero there, maybe it's a different ballgame.
• Perez was the 25th pitcher and 43rd player used by the Tribe this year. The 25 pitchers leads the Majors. The club and American League record is 32 pitchers, used in 2000.
• Regarding that Garko tapper down the line last night and the ensuring fair/foul controversy, the big question is why the umpires, after reversing the initial call that the ball was foul, rule the play dead, rather than rule Garko out on a fair grounder? Basically, they were going with the spirit of the play and trying to get the call right. Had Garko stopped running when the ball rolled foul, it's likely that the play would have been ruled dead upon reversal.
• Lee has the fifth-lowest home ERA in the AL, with a 2.21 mark. He is 12-4 with a 2.37 ERA at home over the last two years.
• Friday's fireworks display will be a tribute to Michael Jackson. It will be an expanded, 15-minute extravaganza. And Saturday's postgame will include an Independence Day fireworks display.

~AC

UPDATE: Tonight's game is now scheduled to start at 7:35 p.m. ET.

UPDATE No. 2: Fausto Carmona in Bowie tonight... 7 IP, 1 R/ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 5 K. He gave up a solo home run. Another strong outing for Fausto.

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game, weather-permitting, will be broadcast on WTAM and STO. As of 5:10 p.m. ET, the tarp is on the field, though the Indians did get in their pregame BP beforehand.

INDIANS (31-47): SS Asdrubal Cabrera, CF Grady Sizemore, 1B Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Jhonny Peralta, DH Travis Hafner, 2B Jamey Carroll, LF Ben Francisco, C Kelly Shoppach. LHP Cliff Lee (4-6, 2.92).

 

 

WHITE SOX (38-38): LF Jayson Nix, SS Alexei Ramirez, RF Jermaine Dye, DH Paul Konerko, C A.J. Pierzynski, CF Brian Anderson, 3B Gordon Beckham, 2B Chris Getz, 1B Josh Fields. LHP Clayton Richard (2-1, 4.33).

Fausto Carmona will make his second reclamation start tonight, this time getting the ball for Double-A Akron. It's a 7:05 p.m. ET start at Bowie.

The Indians were pleased with Carmona's first outing for Class A Lake County last Thursday (6 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 7 K). He stayed in his delivery, and the fact that he even had a solid delivery to stay in was considered progress. Now they want to see him repeat that delivery against stronger competition.

The only thing that puzzles me about the Mark DeRosa trade is the fact that it didn't involve the promotion of Matt LaPorta (.302 average and .898 OPS at Triple-A Columbus).

On Sunday, the Indians went with a lineup that included Ryan Garko in left field. This lineup should never, ever happen again.

The Garko-in-the-outfield experiment began as a pre-Spring Training source of amusement that I, for one, never expected to see the light of day (or, more accurately, the regular season). When Garko dropped that ball Sunday, I hope the message got through that first basemen should not be moonlighting as corner outfielders in the Major Leagues.

Ben Francisco isn't the answer in the corner outfield, either. He's batting .225 with a .659 OPS this season. He's batting .133 with three RBIs in his last 22 games and is currently 3-for-35 and 0-for-10. Last season, he hit .251 with a .745 OPS from July 1 on. Francisco is a nice guy and a hard worker, but the results speak for themselves. He should be sued used (no litigation necessary) to spell Grady Sizemore and nothing more.

Tonight, Chris Gimenez gets the start in left. Gimenez is a versatile player who certainly could have a future at this level. But for this team at this juncture, I'm not sure he's the right fit.

Fans want something to latch onto in a lost season. If it's my team, I'd give them LaPorta. Or, to bring in another option to back up Sizemore, I'd give them Michael Brantley. But I wouldn't give them Garko or Francisco in left field any longer.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Aaron Laffey isn't joining the rotation this week, after all. His rough start for Akron on Sunday (3 1/3 IP, 3 R/ER, 5 H, 6 BB, 1 HBP) sealed the Tribe's decision to give him another Minor League rehab start, most likely Friday for Columbus. Laffey said he understood. "I can't do the same thing everybody else is doing," he said. "They need someone to come in and give them quality starts and not go to the bullpen after five innings."
• So it looks like the Tomo Ohka era continues.Actually, I forgot to take the two upcoming off days into consideration. The Indians can get away without using Ohka as their fifth starter the next turn through the rotation. 
• Chris Perez already gets points from the local media for being a quality sound bite/interview subject. Now, we'll see how he does on the mound. He said it was tough leaving a first-place team, but he really did seem excited to be joining an Indians team certain to give him plenty of opportunity in the 'pen. Perez, after all, logged just eight innings of work in the month of June for the Cards. "They were trying to trade me," he said, "so they didn't use me."
• Rafael Betancourt (strained right groin) threw a simulated session today and is expected to throw another Wednesday. If all goes well, he could be out on a rehab assignment by the end of the weekend.
• A FOX Sports report indicated the Indians are now taking offers for Cliff Lee. Last I heard, the Indians were still operating under the mindset that they'd have to be completely overwhelmed to deal the reigning Cy Young Award winner for the second year in a row. They have an affordable $9 million option on Lee and no other viable options to lead their rotation in 2010. But you never say never.
• I know this much: If Lee is traded this year, that would be a tough sell to the fan base.
• Masa Kobayashi gave up the game-winning run in the 13th inning of Columbus' 8-7 loss to Durham on Sunday. Kobayashi, still getting paid $3 million for this season, has allowed seven runs on 23 hits with seven walks since his ousting to Triple-A.
• On the bright side, catcher Wyatt Toregas has hit .327 (16-for-49) with three doubles, three homers and eight RBIs over his last 15 games.
• Brantley leads the International League with 29 stolen bases.
• Down at Double-A Akron, 1B Beau Mills has heated up. He's driven in 10 runs over his last eight games.
• OF Nick Weglarz was named the Eastern League player of the week. He's reached base safely in 22 straight games, going 23-for-71 with 19 walks, five homers and 21 RBIs in that span.
• While the AL as a whole posted a .569 winning percentage against the NL in the last two years of Interleague Play, the Indians were going 11-25.
• More than 20 former Indians players will take part in the 2010 Fantasy Camp, set to take place Jan. 16-23 in Goodyear, Ariz. Among those scheduled to take part are Bob Feller, Rick Manning, Jim "Mudcat" Grant, Carlos Baerga, Scott Bailes, Len Barker, Dave Burba, Brook Jacoby, Mike Hargrove, Charles Nagy and Cory Snyder. Fans can register by calling (216) 420-HITS or visiting the "Fans" section at Indians.com.

~AC

UPDATE: Apparently, an effort is being made to land Shaq to throw out a ceremonial first pitch sometime this week. I'll let you know if it becomes official.

UPDATE No. 2: Someone commented on Victor Martinez being listed as an infielder on the roster on Indians.com. I pointed this out to the people who control such things, and it's been changed. He's once again listed under catchers, so you can get some sleep tonight.

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game at Progressive Field will be broadcast by STO and WTAM.

UPDATE: Dye's absence corrected. As for Cabrera, he played two in a row (Akron on Saturday and here on Sunday) and, as of now, is limited to playing two out of every three games. So he'll be off tonight and most likely in there Tuesday and Wednesday.

INDIANS (31-46): 2B Jamey Carroll, CF Grady Sizemore, C Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Jhonny Peralta, DH Travis Hafner, 1B Ryan Garko, SS Luis Valbuena, LF Chris Gimenez. RHP Carl Pavano (6-6, 5.80).

 

 

WHITE SOX (37-38): LF Scott Podsednik, SS Alexei Ramirez, RF Jermaine Dye, DH Jim Thome, 1B Paul Konerko, C A.J. Pierzynski, 2B Chris Getz, 3B Gordon Beckham, CF Dewayne Wise. RHP Gavin Floyd (5-5, 4.45).

Chris Perez has joined the Indians and will be available out of the bullpen for tonight's series opener against the White Sox.

Josh Barfield, no stranger to Interstate 71, was sent back to Columbus to make room for Perez.

Commenter "iesavage30" hit the nail on the head. The Mark DeRosa trade was not a very good deal for the Indians.

Not the one that was made last night -- the one that sent DeRosa to the Cardinals in exchange for right-handed reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named later -- but the one that brought him to Cleveland from the Cubs.

The trade made last night was a good one for this club, at this juncture. Though it does not signal the white flag being waved, only the most optimistic (maybe even delusional) souls would say this club can mount a comeback in the AL Central standings.

But addressing a glaring, present need by bringing in a young, hard-throwing, big-bodied, potential back-end reliever with viable Major League experience in exchange for a guy who wasn't going to fit in with long-term plans (and no longer fit the previously prescribed short-term plans) is, in my view, the basis of a good trade. The player to be named will likely determine whether it's a decent trade or a great one for the Indians.

It's that New Year's Eve acquisition of DeRosa that should be more puzzling for Tribe fans.

At the heart of the acquisition was the fear that Asdrubal Cabrera was not ready for everyday action in the big leagues. His poor start to '08 generated that fear, but his strong finish and his improved conditioning perhaps should have instilled a bit more trust in his ability to become the club's regular shortstop. When healthy this year, Cabrera has done nothing but hit, and he's elevated himself from a No. 9 castaway to Grady Sizemore's successor (temporary or not) in the leadoff spot.

Jhonny Peralta spent all winter playing third base in winter ball, and the Indians jumped at every opportunity to rave about his performance there. But in being sensitive to Peralta's wishes to remain at short and unsure about Cabrera's immediate future, the Indians went with what they perceived as the safest course of action by acquiring DeRosa and moving him to third base, regardless of the fact that he played primarily at second base for the Cubs and, by all accounts, played it well.

Watching these first three months of the season unfold made the DeRosa deal look more and more puzzling. Sure, he gave the Indians a productive bat and immediately became a clubhouse asset. But he was shaky in the field at third, went through a baffling period in which he was the Tribe's regular at first base (a position he had never played with any regularity whatsoever) and eventually became related to corner outfield duties in recent weeks. Simply put, he was not used in the role for which he was acquired, so it was not exactly (the prorated portion of) $5.5 million well-spent.

Meanwhile, the Indians moved Peralta to third after ensuring him he was still their shortstop in Spring Training. All this did was create bad blood with Peralta, and the distraction over moving to third appears to have affected him at the plate this season (though his current upswing in production is a positive step).

And the cost of all this confusion (beyond the prorated portion of the $5.5 million, of course) was young pitching with upside -- the very thing this organization is so obviously in need of in the upper levels of the farm system. Only time will tell if Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub, all of whom are having strong seasons in the Cubs' system, become bona fide Major Leaguers. But given the circumstances that unfolded after DeRosa arrived, one can't help but believe the Indians would have been better-served to find out if those three become bona fide Major Leaguers in their system.

The good news is that a potential saving grace exists. Perez is not only a highly regarded prospect who has back-end Major League experience under his belt, he's also under contractual control at least through 2013. He and the player to be named have the potential to make Indians fans look back at the short-lived "DeRosa era" fondly and make them forget all the current confusion.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Just to clear up some confusion I might have created, I had a mistake in my game story from last night. Aaron Laffey is starting for Double-A Akron today, not Triple-A Columbus.
• DeRosa was beloved by his teammates (and the media) here, pretty much from the second he set foot in Goodyear at the start of Spring Training. So players -- especially Kerry Wood, who had been his teammate since 2007 -- were a bit bummed out to see him traded. But given the gain of Perez, this trade wasn't as hard a sell to the Tribe players as some of those that had come before it. "In the past, we've traded guys and just gotten prospects," Kelly Shoppach said. "But it's not like we're waving the white flag. We got something back that can help us now, while there's still a chance. Even though we're going to miss DeRo and his personality and bat in the lineup, hopefully we can get some consistency out there on the mound in return. So it's not the same feeling as in the past."
• Looks like we'll continue to see quite a bit of Luis Valbuena, who has been given an enviable amount of playing time to prove himself at this level. I agree with Eric Wedge that Valbuena's at-bats have been better than the stats would indicate. Of his 26 hits, 15 have gone for extra-base hits, which is encouraging. Still, at some point soon, you'd like to see Valbuena go on a tear that justifies the rope he's been handed. And perhaps he'll be more consistent on the defensive end now that he's going back to his natural position at second base.
• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Cliff Lee's streak of 47 consecutive starts of at least five innings pitched, dating back to the beginning of the '08 season, is the longest active streak in the Majors and the longest stretch by an Indians starter since Gaylord Perry (Aug. 30, 1972-July 27, 1974). Lee and Perry are the only Indians pitchers to have such a stretch since 1954.
• Right-hander JD Goryl, 23, has been signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Tribe. He made his professional debut for the Tribe's Arizona Rookie League team in Goodyear on Friday, tossing two hitless innings. Goryl is the son of Indians player development advisor Johnny Goryl, who has been in the organization since 1982.
• Jose Veras is a big dude.
• If the Indians win today, then the six-game Ohio Cup will have resulted in an even split. At that point, I believe representatives from the Ohio Lottery arrive with a chainsaw and cut the cup in half. Either that, or the Reds just hold on to it for another year.

~AC

UPDATE: DeRosa is already in the Cards' lineup, batting cleanup today. What a go-getter.

Today's 1:05 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on WKYC Channel 3 and WTAM.

INDIANS (31-45): SS Asdrubal Cabrera, DH Grady Sizemore, 1B Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Jhonny Peralta, LF Ryan Garko, 2B Luis Valbuena, C Kelly Shoppach, CF Ben Francisco. LHP David Huff (3-2, 5.71).

 

 

REDS (36-37): CF Willy Taveras, 3B Jerry Hairston Jr., 1B Joey Votto, 2B Brandon Phillips, DH Jonny Gomes, C Ramon Hernandez, RF Jay Bruce, SS Paul Janish, LF Chris Dickerson. RHP Micah Owings (4-8, 4.87).

That was not a standard day off for Mark DeRosa, after all.

DeRosa, a subject of trade rumors almost from the time he first slipped on an Indians uniform, is on the block no more. The Indians have traded the versatile veteran to the Cardinals for right-hander Chris Perez and a player to be named later.

GM Mark Shapiro said the PTBN component is an important one, akin to the Coco Crisp and Michael Brantley acquisitions in the past.

More info to come on Indians.com.

UPDATE: Just to clear up any confusion out there, Asdrubal Cabrera will be activated tomorrow, but the Indians are not calling up Matt LaPorta immediately.

As for Perez, he'll likely get here tomorrow and be ready to pitch Monday.

Breaking out the "Homer at the Bat" quotes last night opened a floodgate, because now more are coming to me.

 

Anyway, I've got a few things on my plate tonight -- and not one of them is a serving of "media chicken" from the press dining room -- so we'll keep the minutia to a minimum on this lovely Saturday.

 

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

 

• Asdrubal Cabrera will play nine innings for Double-A Akron tonight. Odds are, he'll be activated Sunday, if all goes well this evening.
• Eric Wedge had hinted all year that Jensen Lewis might be on the verge of a demotion to Triple-A, but Lewis hung around as a result of the ineffectiveness of those surrounding him in the bullpen and the shortage of potential callups at Triple-A. But Wedge said the team discussed demoting Lewis in the days leading up to Jose Veras' addition. "He shows flashes," Wedge said of Lewis, "but he doesn't show the control and consistency he needs to show."
• Wedge said Lewis is confident to a fault. The phrase "in denial" was used with regard to Lewis, and Wedge did not dispute it. "It works against him a little bit," Wedge said. But Wedge also said that Lewis and pitching coach Carl Willis had a good talk and video session Friday afternoon, and he said Lewis handled the demotion with grace.
• This is a standard day off for Mark DeRosa. On Sunday, Travis Hafner will sit and Grady Sizemore will DH.
• Before tonight's game, the players and staff filled out their All-Star Game ballots. No word on whether Wedge voted for Luis Valbuena.
• The Indians signed Kyle Smith, their 20th round pick out of Kent State. So that's 23 picks signed overall from the Draft, including 18 of the first 20.
• Right-hander Hector Rondon went 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits with two walks and four strikeouts in Akron's win over Birmingham. It was his first win since May 25. His season ERA of 2.59 is the sixth-lowest in the Eastern League.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on WTAM and STO.

INDIANS (31-44): 2B Jamey Carroll, CF Grady Sizemore, C Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 1B Ryan Garko, DH Travis Hafner, 3B Jhonny Peralta, SS Luis Valbuena, LF Ben Francisco. RHP Tomo Ohka (0-1, 4.70).

 

 

REDS (35-37): CF Chris Dickerson, 3B Jerry Hairston Jr., 1B Joey Votto, 2B Brandon Phillips, LF Laynce Nix, DH Jonny Gomes, RF Jay Bruce, C Ryan Hanigan, SS Paul Janish. RHP Homer Bailey (0-0, 12.46).

The Indians will add right-hander Jose Veras to their bullpen in advance of Saturday's game against the Reds, and Jensen Lewis will be optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

The final straw for Lewis came Friday night, when Lewis retired the side in the eighth, only to walk the first two batters he faced in the ninth.

"He's gotten a lot of experience in a short time," Wedge said of Lewis. "He has the heartbeat and the guts. But he needs to be more consistent controlling the baseball. He needs to drive the ball down where he's trying to throw it more consistently."

One move that won't be made Saturday is the one activating infielder Asdrubal Cabrera from the disabled list, where he's been since June 3 with a sprained left shoulder joint. The Tribe had hoped to make that move, but, after watching Cabrera participate in pregame activities Friday, the Indians decided to send him back to his rehab assignment at Double-A Akron for at least one more game.

Wedge said Cabrera still has some mild soreness in his shoulder, but the hope is to have him back after one more game with the Aeros.

There was an episode of "The Simpsons" once in which Mr. Burns assembled a softball team of Major League All-Stars (after he came to realize the likes of Cap Anson and Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown had passed on and the Negro Leagues were defunct).

At a pivotal point one game, Burns pointed to Darryl Strawberry and said, "You, Strawberry, hit a home run!"

So Strawberry, of course, hit a home run.

"I told him to do that," Burns said proudly to his effeminate assistant, Waylon Smithers.

"Brilliant strategy, sir," Smithers replied.

I bring up this anecdote with a purpose. Because as I continue to read the comments in the Internet stratosphere about Eric Wedge's job security, it's come to my attention that some of you out there really believe this is how managers operate.

Actually, maybe Burns is on to something. Wedge has tried everything else, so perhaps tonight he'll just point at Rafael Perez and yell, "You, Perez! Throw a strike!"

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• General manager Mark Shapiro spoke to reporters about Wedge and the Tribe's bullpen. The story on Wedge can be found right here. As for the bullpen, Shapiro said, "With an average bullpen, we'd still be in the mix right now. That's why we've got to continue to look at things and examine how we do everything. From bullpen usage to how we acquire and build a bullpen to the way we develop relievers."
• Asdrubal Cabrera took part in pregame activities today. He's taking batting practice from both sides of the plate. Still dealing with some mild soreness in his sprained left shoulder, Cabrera wasn't yet sure when he'll be activated. It could be in time for Saturday's game against the Reds, or the Indians might send Cabrera back to Double-A Akron for a couple more days.
• Aaron Laffey's next rehab start will take place Sunday for Akron. He is scheduled to throw about 80 pitches. Laffey said he believes this will be his last rehab start, and then he's expecting to join the rotation. Stay tuned on that, too.
• A lineup that includes Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner? You don't see that every day.
• Matt LaPorta, getting consistent time at first base in Columbus, is on a tear of late. He is 7-for-13 with five runs scored, two doubles, a homer and five RBI. He's batting .330 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 23 games in June.
• Some fans and media were frustrated with LaPorta playing sporadically and getting just 42 at-bats from the time he was promoted to the big leagues on May 2 to the time he was optioned out on May 26. Shapiro talked a little bit about the use of LaPorta. He said when LaPorta was added in the wake of Travis Hafner going on the disabled list, Wedge was told to put what he felt was the best lineup on the field each day. There are times, Shapiro said, when prospects are called up and the manager is instructed to play them regularly, but this wasn't one of those times.
• Right-hander Kyle Smith, the Tribe's 20th round Draft pick out of Kent State, was on the field taking in batting practice today. It's believed Smith and the Indians have agreed to terms.
• The Indians are 6-12 in games decided in the last at-bat.
• Infielder Eric Perlozzo was signed to a Minor League deal and assigned to Class A Kinston. Perlozzo is the son of former Orioles manager and current Phillies coach Sam Perlozzo. He was a 25thr-round choice by the Orioles in 2007.
• The Tribe's Major League-leading 302 walks are 29 more than the number logged by the Tigers, who are second in the AL.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game at Progressive Field will be broadcast on WTAM and STO.

INDIANS (30-44): 2B Jamey Carroll, CF Grady Sizemore, C Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, LF Mark DeRosa, DH Travis Hafner, 3B Jhonny Peralta, 1B Ryan Garko, SS Luis Valbuena. LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-5, 5.95).




REDS (35-36): CF Willy Taveras, 3B Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B Brandon Phillips, 1B Joey Votto, DH Jonny Gomes, C Ramon Hernandez, RF Jay Bruce, SS Paul Janish, LF Chris Dickerson. RHP Aaron Harang (5-7, 3.66).

Having grown up in a house in which my older brother, Joe, owned a red leather jacket with a high proliferation of zippers, as well as a white sequined glove, count me among those sad to hear the news about Michael Jackson's death at the age of 50.

While he'll no doubt be remembered for all the tabloid fodder he provided, particularly in the last 20 years, I'm taking this moment to remember the King of Pop for his music contributions.

Top 5 Michael Jackson Songs:

5. "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" - its appearance in the "Seinfeld Chronicles" cemented its legendary status
4. "I Want You Back" (Jackson 5) - back when MJ was a boy, rather than just an old guy hanging out with boys
3. "Beat It" - bonus points for inspiring Weird Al Yankovic's "Eat It"
2. "The Way You Make Me Feel" - barely edging "Smooth Criminal" as the "Bad" album's entry on this list
1. "Billie Jean" -- I'm not sure there was a more significant pop culture moment in the 80s than MJ's iconic performance of this song at the "Motown 25" special in 1983

Honorable mention goes to "Thriller," not because of its transcendent music video experience but because my Uncle Jim still plays it - on vinyl - roughly 572 times straight each Halloween, as trick-or-treaters arrive at his door.

RIP, MJ.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Eric Wedge addressed his job security. You can read about that right here.
• The news of the day was that RHP Fausto Carmona was expected to get the start for Class A Lake County tonight in Eastlake, Ohio. This would be Carmona's first start since his demotion to the rookie-level Arizona League earlier this month. As of this writing, however, associate reporter Matt O'Donnell informs me inclement weather back home is threatening Carmona's start. Stay tuned.
• The Indians still don't have a deadline or timetable for Carmona getting back to the Majors. "We're just taking it step by step, really," Wedge said. "There are certain things we want to see when he's out there pitching. If he proves to himself and us that he's getting beyond some of these things, then we'll continue to move him [up]."
• RHP Jose Veras will join the Indians either Friday or Saturday. Still no word on a corresponding roster move, but you'd have to figure it will involve someone in the bullpen, as a position player would go when Cabrera is activated.
• SS Asdrubal Cabrera (sprained left shoulder joint) played DH today for Akron and went 2-for-5 with two runs scored. He'll join the Indians in Cleveland on Friday and take part in pregame work. If all goes well, he'll probably be activated Saturday. Wedge said he probably won't be activated Friday, because he's coming off playing three days in a row with the Aeros.
• RHP Rafael Betancourt (strained right groin) threw his second bullpen session today. Still no word on when he'll go out on a rehab assignment, but Wedge said the Indians hope to have him back by the middle of July.
• Obviously, DH Travis Hafner hasn't played in a week, with the club playing in NL parks. But he did "get hot," as Wedge put it, before today's game, taking BP, and he'll play two games in a row when the club returns home to face the Reds this weekend. Wedge views this as progress toward Pronk playing three games in a row in the near future.
• Victor Martinez will be happy when the Indians get back to AL-only play. Entering tonight's game, he was batting .182 (10-for-55) against NL teams this season, including a 1-for-33 performance in NL parks.
• Grady Sizemore was out of the lineup tonight, as the Indians will be careful with him in this first week back after the three-week DL stint. But he said his left elbow is feeling fine and continues to respond well to treatment and game activity.
• C Carlos Santana and OF Nick Weglarz were selected to represent the Tribe at the XM All-Star Futures Game in St. Louis on July 12, playing for the World team. Triple-A manager Torey Lovullo will serve as a coach for the U.S. team.
• The big story back home is the Cavaliers' acquisition of Shaq. I asked one of the Indians' resident NBA gurus, Josh Barfield (a Rockets fan), what he thought of the deal, and here's what he had to say: "It's a good deal for the Cavs, but I don't know if it's enough to get them over the hump. They didn't give up much to get him, that's for sure. But I still think they need a big guard, like a Shane Battier, to take some of the pressure off LeBron on defense."

~AC

UPDATE: A scoring change has been made from Friday's game at Wrigley. Jhonny Peralta's triple has been changed to a three-base error on center fielder Reed Johnson. The Cubs had the play overturned through the MLB scoring review committee. So, Peralta is now 1-for-5 with a run scored in the game. Rich Harden lost a hit and earned run allowed. The Indians' hit total went from eight to seven.

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game at PNC Park will be broadcast on STO and WTAM.

INDIANS (30-43): 2B Jamey Carroll, RF Mark DeRosa, 1B Victor Martinez, LF Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Jhonny Peralta, CF Ben Francisco, SS Luis Valbuena, C Kelly Shoppach, LHP Cliff Lee (4-6, 2.94).

 

 

PIRATES (32-39): CF Andrew McCutchen, LF Nyjer Morgan, 2B Freddy Sanchez, 1B Adam LaRoche, 3B Andy LaRoche, RF Brandon Moss, C Jason Jaramillo, SS Jack Wilson, RHP Ross Ohlendorf (6-6, 4.94).

Continuing the conversation from yesterday, many of you have taken to pointing at what's gone on in Colorado as an example of why Eric Wedge should be dismissed.

The Rockies had reportedly tuned out Clint Hurdle and were motivated by his ousting.
They were 18-28 under Hurdle this season. Since Jim Tracy replaced him, they are 19-6.

And that's great, for a 25-game stretch. It will be interesting to see if it lasts and if Tracy is a long-term solution.

I'm reminded of covering the Reds in '05. Cincinnati ousted manager Dave Miley in mid-June and replaced him with Jerry Narron. Instantly, the club played better, going .500 down the stretch (which doesn't sound all that great, but it was major, major improvement on what had come before) and earning Narron an extension for 2006 with an option for '07.

The players, who had never shown much respect for Miley, remarked about the improved communication and leadership Narron provided. He brought them a change in direction and a new voice in the clubhouse.

What a difference a manager makes, huh?

Alas, the Reds finished under .500 yet again in 2006, and, midway through '07, Narron himself was ousted -- the fall guy for a 31-51 record. The team needed another change in direction, another new voice in the clubhouse.

Fact is, the Reds were a flawed organization. They had no pitching in the upper levels of their system, and their draft, trade and free-agent acquisitions in the years leading up to Narron taking over were horrendous. No manager inheriting that club was going to have sustained success.

I'm not saying the Indians are as flawed from top to bottom, but the Tribe's pitching staff at present (and looking ahead) has some glaring holes that aren't going to be fixed by a managerial substitution.

It's become popular to accuse Wedge of mismanaging the 'pen, but can a bullpen this bad really be mismanaged? No matter what move you make, it's going to be the wrong one. That's what Wedge is experiencing this season. You simply can't win with starting and relief pitching this erratic.

Major League manager is not only one of the worst jobs in professional sports, it's also one of the most overrated. Little to nothing is in your control as a manager, aside from filling out the lineups. Many of Wedge's lineups have been a disaster this season, but the Indians are fourth in the league in runs scored and, really, that should be enough to get you more than 30 wins at this juncture, shouldn't it?

It's the pitching. It's the walks. It's the crippling home runs allowed. It's the starters struggling to give you more than five quality innings. Those are the factors that have had the Indians in last place for all but three games this year.

Look, I'm not writing all this to say that keeping Wedge, who has enjoyed a rare amount of job security, is the answer. I'm open to the possibility that it's the first of many steps to right the ship.

But those of you lashing out at Wedge and his staff need to be prepared for the possibility that if that day comes where the Indians go in a new managerial direction -- and, again, that day could very well come at any point this year -- don't expect it to be the move that turns this organization around after two highly disappointing seasons. I'd go so far as to say removing Wedge might not be as significant as, say, moving a Mark DeRosa or a Carl Pavano in exchange for some young, quality pitching. Because that's what this team really needs.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• No word on who will go when Jose Veras arrives. If it's a straight reliever-for-reliever move, then the only two guys who strike me as safe are Kerry Wood and Matt Herges. Perhaps the three-lefty situation in the 'pen is short-lived. We shall see.
• Veras will be the 24th pitcher used by the Tribe this year, which is the most in the Majors. And he'll be the 42nd player used overall, which, at present, would put the Indians in a tie with the Padres for most in the Majors.
• The above, by the way, is quickly becoming my favorite bit of statistical minutia from this season.
• Ryan Garko, who has been nursing a sprained left wrist, was available off the bench Wednesday. He remained out of the starting lineup, as Wedge opted to stick with the Kelly Shoppach-Carl Pavano tandem.
• A reporter mentioned to Wedge that Jensen Lewis, who has logged scoreless appearances in six of his last eight outings, has showed improvement. Wedge didn't seem to buy into that notion. "We need to see some consistency from these guys," Wedge said. "One good, one bad doesn't get it done. You've got to have an idea of what you're going to get. Jensen's very capable of helping us out of the bullpen, but he needs to be more consistent in throwing the ball where he wants to throw it."
• Bizarre outing for Kerry Wood in the ninth last night. I might be wrong, but the RBI double to Jack Wilson might have been a foul ball, had it not nicked Jhonny Peralta's glove. And the RBI single to Andrew McCutchen was about a 97-bounce dribbler up the middle. So you cut Wood some slack for those. But walking Nyjer Morgan and Freddy Sanchez was a problem, and Wood nearly walked Adam LaRoche. Wood said he's struggling to find his cutter and fastball right now. Wedge gave him credit today for getting that last out.
• Getting Wood consistent work this season has been a problem, especially given the Indians' reluctance to use him for multiple innings because of his injury history. "It's particularly hard on the road," Wedge said. "Because in a close game, you need to save him for that ninth inning. If you use him in the eighth and need him in the ninth, that's not good."
• So, yes, this is what people meant when they talked about the risk associated with signing Wood to a two-year, $20.5 million deal. I know one thing -- the chances of him reaching 55 games finished for his vesting option for 2011 aren't looking likely this year.
• Three more Draft picks have signed with the Tribe. They are: outfielder Jordan Henry (seventh round, University of Mississippi), infielder Casey Frawley (17th round, Stetson) and infielder Greg Folgia (40th round, Missouria Columbia).
• In last night's Class A Carolina/California League All-Star Game, Lonnie Chisenhall went 1-for-3, Cord Phelps went 0-for-2 with the Carolinas only RBI and left-hander Eric Berger threw a scoreless inning. Also of note, Chisenhall won the Home Run Derby before the game, beating five other participants.
• Nick Weglarz got off to a horrid start this season, but he's been torrid since the beginning of May. He drove in four runs against Trenton last night and is now tied for third in the Eastern League with 47 RBIs.
• It is roughly 132 degrees in the PNC Park press box. Where the White Sox cut back on printing costs in their press box, the Pirates cut back on air-conditioning costs. Either way, the media ends up hot and bothered.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game at PNC Park will be broadcast on STO and WTAM.

INDIANS (30-42): 2B Jamey Carroll, CF Grady Sizemore, 1B Victor Martinez, LF Shin-Soo Choo, RF Mark DeRosa, 3B Jhonny Peralta, SS Luis Valbuena, C Kelly Shoppach, RHP Carl Pavano (6-5, 5.73).

 

 

PIRATES (31-39): CF Andrew McCutchen, LF Nyjer Morgan, 2B Freddy Sanchez, 1B Adam LaRoche, 3B Andy LaRoche, RF Brandon Moss, C Jason Jaramillo, SS Jack Wilson, LHP Zach Duke (7-5, 3.18).

The Indians acquired right-hander Jose Veras from the Yankees for cash considerations on Wednesday. The right-handed Veras had been designated for assignment by the Yanks last week.

Veras is expected to join the Indians' bullen this week, most likely when the club returns home Friday to face the Reds.

In 25 appearances out of the New York 'pen this season, the 28-year-old Veras was 3-1 with a 5.96 ERA. He walked 14 and struck out 18 in 25 2/3 innings of work. He did not exactly endear himself to Yankee fans on April 16, when he gave up three runs without recording an out against the Tribe to take the loss in the first game at the new Yankee Stadium.

The outlook was much brighter for Veras last season. He went 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA in 60 appearances, walking 29 and striking out 63 in 57 2/3 innings. He became a primary setup option for the Yanks when they traded Kyle Farnsworth to the Tigers.

It is not yet known who will be removed from the active roster to make way for Veras, but the Tribe's always evolving bullpen is no stranger to tweaking.

Michael Aubrey entered the Indians' organization in 2003 with all the tout and talent that comes with an advanced college bat taken 11th overall in the First-Year Player Draft.

Injuries robbed Aubrey, a Tulane product, of the ability to make good on all the lofty projections placed before him. And on Wednesday, he left the organization for a new start elsewhere. The Indians traded the 27-year-old Aubrey to the Orioles for a player to be named.

Dropped from the 40-man roster over the winter, Aubrey cleared waivers and has played the entire '09 season to date with Triple-A Columbus. He was hitting .292 with 16 doubles, a triple, five homers and 29 RBIs in 57 games for the Clippers.

Aubrey has remained healthy for the better part of the last two years, but various ailments, including hamstring, back and knee woes, relegated him to just 107 games played in the Minors from 2003-07. He finally made his Major League debut with the Tribe last year, appearing in 15 games and batting .200 (9-for-45) with home runs in each of his first two starts. 

Reading through your comments here and those elsewhere in the Internet stratosphere, it's obvious that the most vocal of Tribe fans are overwhelmingly in favor of the Indians making a managerial change.

And maybe that change will happen. If so, it probably wouldn't happen until the All-Star break, and it might not happen until season's end, if at all. But a team can only look this bad so long before changes are made -- and managerial changes are often a part of that process. We'll just have to wait and see.

The Indians are 29-42, entering tonight's scintillating series opener against the Pirates. You can point to Eric Wedge's constant lineup juggling, his snake-bitten bullpen moves and some questionable in-game decisions, and you can certainly make an argument that he should take the fall for that record. When a team has sunk this low (only the Nationals, at 20-47, have a worse record, and they entered the season with no expectations to contend whatsoever) this late in the year, arguments in favor of the manager tend to sound like spin and excuses.

All that being said, I have not read one argument or witnessed one sustained stretch of play this season that has convinced me that the Indians ridding themselves of Wedge would be the difference-maker. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe the Indians could have used his dismissal as a wake-up call to a stagnant ballclub. But I'm afraid that time, if it even existed, has passed for 2009. The Indians are 10 games out on June 23, which does not exactly bode well for AL Central survival -- no matter how poor the AL Central is this season.

Relieving Wedge of his duties at this juncture, then, would also look like a spin job and a desperate search for an excuse. GM Mark Shapiro called the notion a "cop-out," and he's right. Because the fact of the matter is that Wedge inherited a poorly constructed ballclub. The rotation, as we all knew entering the season, was suspect. The bullpen, as few of us predicted going into the year, was a disaster. And the team was ill-equipped in the upper levels of the farm system to offset the multitude of injuries and the dazzling display of ineffectiveness affecting some key members of the ballclub, most notably Fausto Carmona and Rafael Perez.

These are problems that are more accurately pinned on the front office, not the manager.

Still, this is a business, and the Indians have to keep the interests of their fans in mind with each move they make. Maybe Wedge will get the axe at some point, and maybe those fans who are ranting and raving about his performance will be temporarily appeased. And again, maybe that would have a positive impact on this club's play.

But I'm watching a ballclub that has plenty of problems, managerial and otherwise. And no matter how much venom I read in the comments and on the message boards, I don't see a quick fix. All I see are a lot of excuses for a team that has simply not had the talent or the depth to contend -- or even avoid the cellar -- in what might be baseball's worst division.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Grady Sizemore's back, but he won't be in the lineup on an everyday basis. At least not this week. Wedge didn't get into specifics, other than to say that Sizemore will be considered on a day to day basis and might be used as a DH when the team returns to playing in AL parks.
• Asdrubal Cabrera (sprained left shoulder joint) begins his rehab at Double-A Akron tonight and will likely play two games before the Indians evaluate him again. He could be back with the club as soon as Thursday.
• Cabrera will return to the leadoff spot when he comes back. As a result, Sizemore is back in the No. 2 spot.
• Rafael Betancourt threw a 30-pitch bullpen session today, using just his fastball and changeup. He threw curveballs off flat ground. Betancourt is three weeks removed from straining his right groin, and he said he feels great physically. Now, he just has to get back in the flow of pitching after the long layoff. He's scheduled to throw another bullpen Thursday.
• Tony Sipp has become the Tribe's elevator man of '09, as this is his third promotion to the big leagues. He said in his last outing at Columbus, he got a strikeout on a wild pitch with a split-fingered fastball he hadn't thrown since college. "I was going down memory lane," he said. Unfortunately, catcher Damaso Espino had called for a changeup, so he didn't know the pitch was coming. Hence, the wild pitch.
• The Indians are not carrying three lefties in the bullpen by design, Wedge said. "We're just looking for the best arms and the best options we can have as we move forward," he said. "You're always looking for something to click."
• Ryan Garko remains day to day with a sprained wrist.
• Right-handed reliever Greg Aquino cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Columbus.
• Another Draft pick has signed on with the Tribe. This time, it's 18th-round selection Dwight Childs, a catcher out of the University of Arizona. The Indians have signed 19 selections and 15 of their top 19 picks. The Tribe also signed left-hander Ryan Anthony (Emporia State) and infielder Dan DeGeorge (Princeton) to non-drafted free agent Minor League contracts.
• The Indians are just 9-21 in Interleague Play over the last two years.
• In the course of losing seven of eight games, the Tribe has blown leads of five runs twice and seven runs once.
• Finally, don't forget about the Mystery Ball charity event taking place during Saturday's game against the Reds. For $50, you get one of 1,200 baseballs signed by players, coaches and managers from the Indians and around MLB. Tickets will be sold at Gates A and C once gates open. A silent auction will also take place with items such as a Kerry Wood game-used glove and a Victor Martinez catching mask. All proceeds benefit the Providence House.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game at PNC Park will be broadcast on WTAM and STO.

UPDATE: Slight lineup change. Choo is now in LF and DeRosa in RF.

INDIANS (29-42): 2B Jamey Carroll, CF Grady Sizemore, C Victor Martinez, LF Shin-Soo Choo, RF Mark DeRosa, 3B Jhonny Peralta, SS Luis Valbuena, 1B Chris Gimenez. LHP David Huff (2-2, 7.09).

 

 

PIRATES (31-38): CF Andrew McCutchen, LF Nyjer Morgan, 2B Freddy Sanchez, 1B AdamLaRoche, C Robinzon Diaz, 3B Andy LaRoche, RF Steve Pearce, SS Jack Wilson, RHP Ian Snell (2-7, 5.08).

Little late posting this, as I was navigating the rugged terrain of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the time it became official, but Grady Sizemore was activated from the 15-day disabled list today.

To make room for Sizemore on the active roster, the Indians optioned outfielder Trevor Crowe back to Triple-A Columbus.

And in a separate roster move impacting the ever-evolving bullpen, the Indians promoted left-hander Tony Sipp for the third time this year and designated right-hander Luis Vizcaino for assignment.

Entering the week 13 games under .500 and 10 games back in the American League Central Division standings, the last-place Indians are hoping the returns of some key players from injuries will spark them. Sizemore will only do so if the elbow, which had been bothering him since Spring Training, continues to cooperate.

Arthroscopic surgery, which would have sidelined Sizemore for an additional four to six weeks, was avoided because the elbow responded well to treatment. Now, the Indians will see how it responds to in-game activity. The Indians did not take the extra precaution of having Sizemore take part in a Minor League rehab assignment prior to promoting him -- a measure they are currently taking with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who sprained his left shoulder joint earlier this month and was set to begin rehabbing with Double-A Akron tonight.

Easing the blog back into action after a weekend off (and an eventful series in Chi-town, for all the wrong reasons), here are a few pieces of excruciating minutia for you...

• The "Eric Wedge on the hot seat" chatter has reached new levels with the Tribe possessing the worst record in the AL and in the midst of a six-game losing streak. It appears slightly overplayed, as the Indians are not believed to be on the verge of making such a move at the moment. A decision on Wedge's future is more likely to be made at season's end.
• Apparently there was some confusion over the weekend when a reporter asked owner Larry Dolan about a potential change and Dolan responded, "I'll talk to you later" and "I just don't want to lie to you." Dolan, from what I understand, was under the impression that the topic at hand was possible trades, not Wedge's job security.
• It's looking likely that Grady Sizemore (sore left elbow) will be activated before or during the series in Pittsburgh this week.
• Asdrubal Cabrera (sprained left shoulder) begins a Minor League rehab assignment at Double-A Akron on Tuesday night. The rehab can last up to 20 days but will probably be a short one.
• Aaron Laffey will make his second rehab start for Akron on Tuesday night.
• The Indians signed 13th-round Draft pick Jeremy Johnson, a right-hander out of Washington State University. They have now signed 18 selections overall and 13 of their top 16. Negotiations with top pick Alex White should be underway soon, if not already, as White's UNC team was bounced from the College World Series.
• Lastly, for those of you who make Twitter a part of your daily diet, you'll definitely want to check out the Tribe Insider tweets, brought to you by Bart Swain and Jeff Sibel of the Tribe's media relations department. They're posting lineups, injury updates, roster moves, etc., so you can get the news as it happens.

More to come Tuesday from Pittsburgh.

~AC

UPDATE: My apologies for neglecting to include the Twitter link earlier. It is up there now.

This weekend, the Indians will make their first trip to the hallowed shrine that is Wrigley Field since 1998. And while this may very well be the only hallowed shrine where it is reasonable to be inebriated at noon and where the concourse possesses a smell ordinarily reserved for dorm hall bathrooms, it is a hallowed shrine, nonetheless.

Wrigley does not possess the amenities, the sight lines and the comfort of many modern parks, and the scalpers outside can and do command all contents of your wallet and claim to one of your kidneys in exchange for a seat with an obstructed view. Yet Wrigley remains my favorite atmosphere in all of baseball.

Recognizing that some of you might be visiting Wrigley for the first time this weekend, I figured I'd share a few guidelines for the unitiated:

1. Avoid falling concrete.

2. Don't pull a Bartman.

3. Should, for some reason, you be asked to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," don't say this. 

4. If a ball gets lost in the ivy-covered wall, it's a ground-rule double. If it hits a seagull, then gets lost in the ivy-covered wall, play stops and the entire ballpark is evacuated.

5. The white "W" flag that flies atop the scoreboard following a Cubs victory signifies "Win," not "Wedge."

6. I don't remember the name, but there's a nondescript little Mexican place just outside the exit to the Addison "L" stop, en route to Wrigley. They sell burritos the size of your head. But if you eat one, don't make any sudden movements, and keep the Rolaids handy.

7. My first visit to Wrigley came in the summer of 1993, when I was 12. I was a huge Ryne Sandberg fan, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the official Ryne Sandberg chocolate bar in a gift shop across the street from the ballpark. It might have been the best candy bar I've ever had. 

So, what's the advice? Well, it's 2009 now. If you happen upon a Ryne Sandberg chocolate bar, for the love of God, don't eat it.

8. If you can't get into the game, you can do what my friend Ed is doing Saturday and pay $180 to sit a block away on a Waveland Avenue rooftop, sucking down all the hot dogs and flat Budweiser you can stomach.

9. Or you can just take the sane route and watch it at Murphy's Bleachers.

Whether you're in attendance, on a roof, at the bar or stuck in Cleveland or points elsewhere, enjoy the games this weekend.

Due to a scheduling conflict, I will not be covering the weekend series in Chicago. Instead, I'll be in the Happiest Place on Earth, the Land of Milk and Honey, the Navel of the Universe -- Athens, Ohio, which is home, of course, to Ohio University and, in a newer development, my buddy Brad's wedding. The blog will be back up and running next week, assuming I make it out alive.

In the meantime, a new edition of the Inbox is up on Indians.com.

~AC

We've talked quite a bit about music in the blog this homestand, because, well, that's the kind of thing that happens in a blog about a last-place ballclub.

Indians iTrac vision coordinator Jason Stein, who is known in this and many circles as the "Master of Self-Promotion," doesn't know a thing about music. Well, unless it originates from his native land -- a foreign country by the name of Texas. You might remember that during Spring Training, Stein offered up a blasphemous take on Clarence Clemons' transcendent saxophone solo in "Jungleland," so his abhorrent musical acumen is well-established.

Stein and I are in the midst of an ongoing argument regarding Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. The debate basically comes down to "legend status." Which of these icons possesses more of it?

You can weigh this on many fronts -- chart success, national and international acclaim, respect and clout within the industry, etc. - but everything and anything must be taken into consideration.

I want to open the floor for your take on this matter, and I won't reveal which of us is arguing for Dylan and which is arguing for Nelson. (But I would like to point out that when Dylan and Nelson take the stage at Classic Park in Eastlake next month, a certain genius wordsmith from Minnesota will be the headliner, while a certain pot-promoting Texan will be his opening act... and I think that speaks for itself.)

Anyway, chew on that debate, if you feel up to it. And we have plenty of Indians info to chew on during tonight's rain delay.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Carl Pavano has been skipped in the rotation. He said he's not injured, but Eric Wedge said he's dealing with mild right shoulder soreness. Tomo Ohka will take Pavano's start Saturday in Chicago, and Pavano said he will start Wednesday in Pittsburgh. "This will allow me to catch up on some things," Pavano said. As Pavano put it, this doesn't make much of a difference for him, in terms of number of starts, because either way he will get four more starts before the All-Star break.
• It's only two rough starts in a row, but you can't help but wonder if Pavano might be dealing with a tired arm, in addition to the sore shoulder (which may or may not be related to the neck stiffness he felt two starts back). After all, he only threw 53 1/3 innings between the Minors and Majors last season and just 93 1/3 innings over the last three years. He's already thrown 81 2/3 innings this year. Definitely something to track going forward.
• Jake Westbrook is still dealing with elbow soreness, so his setback has set him back even further. He did not throw his bullpen session today, and it's been postponed indefinitely. Wedge guessed that it will be at least a few days before the Indians consider having Westbrook throw again. Westbrook has had an MRI that revealed no structural damage, so that's encouraging. But until the soreness dies down, don't look for him to boosting the rotation any time soon.
• Wedge remains upset with Jhonny Peralta's approach, both offensive and defensively, but he said he basically had to start Peralta today because Travis Hafner needed a day off and Ben Francisco, who is clearly lost at the plate right now, needed a day, as well. As for Peralta... "He knows how I feel, and I know how he feels," Wedge said. "The ball's in his court. He's a good player when he really commits."
• Wedge implied that Peralta hasn't seriously committed to becoming "a very good third baseman." And though Wedge didn't say so, I can't help but wonder if the move to third has had a negative impact on Peralta's mindset on both sides of the ball.
• Wedge also had some pointed words for catcher Kelly Shoppach. When a guy is striking out at a rate of about once every three plate appearances, it becomes difficult to justify having him in the lineup regularly, no matter what he brings to the table defensively. That's what Wedge is dealing with regarding Shoppach, who has become the regular catcher not just for Cliff Lee but also Pavano and David Huff. "Kelly makes it tough when he gives away at-bats like that," Wedge said. "He knows that."
• On the flip side, Wedge had more glowing things to say about Luis Valbuena. The gist is that if another rookie had the same exact numbers as Valbuena but looked over matched, Wedge would have had him sent down by now. But he feels Valbuena is putting up good at-bats and has shown some "moxie," so he's sticking with him.
• The Indians announced the signing of five more Draft picks today, bringing the total number of players signed to nine, including eight from the first 16 rounds. Fifth-round pick Austin Adams (Faulkner University), eighth-round pick Cory Burns (Arizona), ninth-round pick Preston Guilmet (Arizona), 16th-round pick Dale Dickerson (Nicholls State) and 27th-round pick Tyler Sturdevant (New Mexico State) were all inked.
• Travis Hafner is batting .310 (9-for-29) with two doubles, three homers and eight RBIs in eight games since returning from the DL. He feels the rest about every third day and the decrease in the number of swings he takes pregame has helped his right shoulder remain strong. "It's progressing better than it was two weeks ago," Hafner said of his shoulder. "Soon, I'll be able to play three days in a row, and hopefully I'll build up from there."
• "Chulkamania" is running wild at Triple-A Columbus. After two scoreless innings in last night's 10-3 win over Rochester, Vinnie Chulk now has a 0.66 ERA in 12 total appearances covering 13 2/3 innings with the Clippers this season. He's walked three and struck out 11. He has five straight scoreless outings and hasn't allowed an earned run in 11 of 12 appearances.
• Left-hander Chuck Lofgren got the start in that win over Rochester, allowing three runs on seven hits over seven innings. It was his fourth start at the Triple-A level.
• Jordan Brown went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs. He's batting .307 with an .859 OPS for the season.
• At Double-A Akron, first baseman Beau Mills has a seven-game hitting streak in which he's hit .423 (11-for-26) with three doubles, a homer and six RBIs. He's batting .352 in June to raise his average from .247 to .271.
• Right-hander Trey Haley, the Tribe's second-round pick in last year's Draft, is just 18 years old but pitching in a full-season league at Class A Lake County. Over his last three starts, he is 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA. For the season, he is 2-3 with a 5.47 ERA.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on WTAM and STO.

INDIANS (29-38): 2B Jamey Carroll, RF Mark DeRosa, 1B Victor Martinez, DH Shin-Soo Choo, LF Ryan Garko, 3B Jhonny Peralta, SS Luis Valbuena, C Kelly Shoppach, CF Trevor Crowe. LHP David Huff (2-2, 7.39).

 

 

BREWERS (36-29): C Jason Kendall, 2B Craig Counsell, LF Ryan Braun, 1B Prince Fielder, RF Corey Hart, CF Mike Cameron, SS J.J. Hardy, DH Mat Gamel, 3B  Bill Hall. RHP Jeff Suppan (5-4, 4.48).

This week, we officially welcome associate reporter Matt O'Donnell into the fold at MLB.com, and he'll help out on the Tribe beat.

Matt graduated from Ohio University over the weekend, so he's still got a little Court Street coursing through his blood. And I'm excited to have a fellow Bobcat in the fold.

Previous associates include Andrew Gribble, who is covering Auburn for the Opelika-Auburn News, and the inimitable David Briggs, who is working for the Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. O'Donnell has big shoes to fill -- and not just because Briggs is 7-foot-3.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Eric Wedge had strong words for Jhonny Peralta today. Peralta is batting .249 with a .336 slugging percentage and .340 on-base percentage. He simply has not been driving the ball, as evidenced by his 14 total extra-base hits. Wedge has already benched Peralta for consecutive games twice this season, and he's contemplating doing so a third time. "He's got to get his head straight," Wedge said. "Jhonny's not a baby anymore. He's been up here five or six years. He's going to have to figure it out. I don't want to keep seeing the same thing day after day."
• Luis Valbuena, owner of a .179 average, is not only a regular, but now (or today, at least) he's batting leadoff. Wedge wanted to give Jamey Carroll a day off, and he didn't want to move the struggling Ben Francisco (5-for-42) back to leadoff. So Valbuena gets the job for the night. Wedge said he liked seeing Valbuena work two walks off Dave Bush last night, and he's talked the past week about how his at-bats are better than the stats indicate. "I don't look at the numbers," Wedge said. "This is a good opportunity to get him up there. It could be a good shot in the arm for him."
• Wedge railed against two areas that bother him about this ballclub -- the walks (an astonishing 261 and counting) and the strikeouts with runners on third and less than two out. "I'm tired of talking about it and tired of seeing it," Wedge said.
• The pies in the face worked in '07. Maybe the championship belt will work in '09. WWE's Jerry "The King" Lawler delivered a replica belt to the clubhouse today, at Travis Hafner's request. It will go to the player voted "player of the game" after each win. Whoever wins the belt the most over the remainder of the season gets to keep it all winter. More on this important development in this story on Indians.com.
• Head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff said Grady Sizemore will begin taking batting practice and making throws from the outfield this weekend in Chicago. If his left elbow tolerates that well, he could avoid arthroscopic surgery. We'll see how it goes.
• LHP Scott Lewis makes his second rehab start tonight, getting the nod for Double-A Akron.
• Victor Martinez drove in his 500th run last night and hit his 99th homer. He's now second in the AL in batting average, with a .341 mark.
• Hafner's three-hit game last night was his second of the season after not having a three-hit game in all of '08. His seven total bases equaled a season high.
• How about the news on Mel Hall? Terrible.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on WTAM and STO.

Refresh my memory. Was this the Opening Day lineup?

INDIANS (29-37): SS Luis Valbuena, 3B Mark DeRosa, C Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 1B Ryan Garko, DH Travis Hafner, LF Chris Gimenez, CF Ben Francisco, 2B Josh Barfield. LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-3, 5.10).

 

 

BREWERS (35-29): 2B Casey McGehee, 3B Bill Hall, LF Ryan Braun, 1B Prince Fielder, RF Corey Hart, CF Mike Cameron, DH Mat Gamel, SS J.J. Hardy, C Jason Kendall. RHP Yovani Gallardo (6-3, 2.88).

Where do you come out on jinxes?

When Cliff Lee was hurling a no-no last night, I'm assuming you didn't let the words "no-hitter" come out of your mouth. But how far did you take the superstition? Did you refuse to leave your seat or adjust the volume on the TV for fear that the slightest alteration in viewing experience would negatively impact Clifton Phifer?

People get antsy when no-hitters and perfect games are on the line, especially people directly affiliated with a ballclub. So there were some players who were quite a bit of a surprised when the operators of the jumbotron at Progressive Field decided, just before the start of the eighth inning, to flash a graphic noting that the last perfect game in Tribe history was Len Barker's May 15, 1981, gem against the Blue Jays.

Well, as it turns out, the graphic was a scripted part of the Indians' weekend celebration of all things '80s. It was scheduled to run regardless of what Lee had going on.

I'm not a big believer in jinxes, but maybe this would have been a good time to deviate from the script. Or maybe Lee shouldn't have left a changeup over the plate. Either way.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Jake Westbrook's rehab is on hold. In the first setback Westbrook has had since his Tommy John ligament replacement surgery one year ago, the Indians appear to have scrapped previous plans to have him make his third rehab start Wednesday. Westbrook is still dealing with some soreness in his right elbow from after his start Friday for Double-A Akron. He played catch today and is tentatively scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. No word on when the Indians are now targeting that third start to take place, but this would obviously push back Westbrook's big league return.
• Grady Sizemore had an MRI on his sore left elbow today, and the results were positive enough that the Indians had Sizemore play catch out to 60 feet and take dry swings with the bat. These are his first baseball activities since he went on the DL on May 31. The Indians still won't know if Sizemore's elbow will require surgery until he continues to increase his baseball activities and they see how his elbow responds. They don't even know what his schedule is for tomorrow yet, because they want to see how he responds from today's action.
• Aaron Laffey's rehab assignment will begin Thursday, when he'll throw three innings in a start for Triple-A Columbus. The Indians are building Laffey, working his way back from a right oblique strain, back up as a starter. He could be back within a couple weeks.
• The Indians announced the signing of four of their 2009 Draft picks today. First baseman Ben Carlson (Sixth Round, Missouri State), right-hander Brett Brach (10th Round, Monmouth), left-hander Kirk Wetmore (11th Round, Bellevue Community College) and infielder Kyle Smith (14th Round, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).
• I caught some flack for writing this article about Yadier Molina's double and whether or not Choo could have made the play. It was not an opinion piece. It was a simple statement of fact that there was debate -- both in the press box and in the Indians' clubhouse and, I can only imagine, among many of you -- as to whether or not Choo made the best of efforts to catch that ball. And I felt the debate was strong enough that it necessitated a short separate story.
• If you want my opinion on the matter, I don't think Choo could have realistically made the catch, given how shallow he played, but I definitely think he could have made a better effort to get a glove on it at the wall. The replay is linked to the story, if you'd like to judge for yourself.
• According to Elias Sports Bureau, no Indians pitcher had taken a no-hit bid into the eighth inning since CC Sabathia did so at Detroit on April 7, 2002. Lee would have been the first reigning Cy Young Award winner to throw a no-hitter since Bob Gibson did it for the Cardinals on Aug. 14, 1971, against the Pirates.
• Lee now has a 2.07 ERA over his last 12 starts.
• The Indians are 15-11 since May 20.
• Don't forget about the American Red Cross blood drive taking place on Gateway Plaza before tomorrow night's game.
• Choo was playing with a yo-yo before tonight's game. He can do the "around the world" and the "rock the cradle." In my book, that's talent.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on ESPN and WTAM.

INDIANS (29-36): 2B Jamey Carroll, LF Mark DeRosa, 1B Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Jhonny Peralta, DH Travis Hafner, CF Ben Francisco, SS Luis Valbuena, C Kelly Shoppach. RHP Carl Pavano (6-5, 5.40).

 

 

BREWERS (34-29): 2B Craig Counsell, 3B Casey McGehee, LF Ryan Braun, 1B Prince Fielder, RF Corey Hart, CF Mike Cameron, DH Matt Gamel, SS J.J. Hardy, C Mike Rivera. RHP Dave Bush (3-3, 4.58).

Walking down E. 9th Street, en route to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Bruce Springsteen Fan Fest (which is worth about 19 separate blog entries on its own) this afternoon, my friend and I passed a CVS. On a placard listing the store hours was the name of the store manager:

Tom Petty.

I've passed this store many times over the last few years, and Tom's name is always listed there. He clearly is doing a fine job and is secure in his position.

Or maybe not. My friend and I got to thinking... What if this Tom Petty guy is actually doing a horrible job -- the shelves go unstocked for weeks at a time, the bathroom's never clean, they're serving spoiled milk, there's always money missing from the register at the end of the night. But the CVS district manager in charge of this particular store is a huge, huge fan of that other Tom Petty -- the one who, of course, is enshrined in the aforementioned Rock Hall -- and just doesn't have the courage or the nerve to fire a guy with the same name as his idol?

Now, that's job security. If the guy running the photo lab is named Mike Campbell and the guy in charge of the pharmacy is Benmont Tench, we'll know for sure that something's up.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• The Indians flip-flopped David Huff and Tomo Ohka in the rotation last week, figuring Ohka could be skipped for two turns in the rotation with the upcoming off days. Following Ohka's strong start Saturday, the Tribe has not announced its plans for the fourth spot going forward. Obviously, Huff has also pitched well, and you'd have to imagine the Indians would lean toward the younger guy with more upside. "We haven't discussed anything," Eric Wedge said. "We don't have to make a decision yet."
• Actually, by the time the Indians must make that decision, Jake Westbrook and/or Aaron Laffey could be ready to rejoin the rotation. So it will be interesting to see how Jeremy Sowers and Huff pitch over the next couple weeks, potentially with their big-league job on the line.
• Speaking of Laffey, who is recovering from a strained right oblique muscle, he threw his third bullpen session Saturday and will throw a simulated session against hitters on Monday. He said he'll then rest two days before going out on a Minor League rehab assignment. "Right now, they're building me back up as a starter," Laffey said. "I don't think it will be too long a process, but the main thing is to build my pitch count back up."
• Wedge stated the obvious -- Jhonny Peralta would be this club's regular third baseman, if everybody in the infield were healthy. "I see him as a guy at third base and occasionally at shortstop," Wedge said. It's a conversation Wedge said he's had with Peralta multiple times.
• Peralta is 4-for-his-last-27.
• No. 1 Draft pick Alex White went nine strong innings for North Carolina against Arizona State today, but he took a no-decision. White allowed just a run on seven hits with three walks and 12 strikeouts, but the Tar Heels went on to lose, 5-2, in 11 innings. On the other side, No. 2 pick Jason Kipnis started for Arizona State in center field and the two hole and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.
• Double-A Akron right-hander Hector Rondon was pulled after just four scoreless innings in his start against Portland today. He gave up one hit with one walk and three strikeouts. According to the Aeros' release, Rondon was pulled because he reached his pitch limit. He left a game earlier this month with biceps soreness, so he's on a strict count.
• Don't forget about the American Red Cross blood drive, taking place on Gateway Plaza before Tuesday's game.
• Since his activation from the DL, Travis Hafner, who is off tonight, has hit .238 (5-for-21) with a double, homer and two RBis in six games.
• Kelly Shoppach has struck out in each of his last four at-bats and seven of his last 15. He's in a 4-for-32 funk.
• After hearing at least one Billy Ocean song a day the last three days, I'm officially ready for the "80s Weekend" at Progressive Field to come to an end.

~AC

Tonight's 8:05 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on WTAM and ESPN.

INDIANS (28-36): 2B Jamey Carroll, LF Mark DeRosa, 1B Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Jhonny Peralta, DH Ryan Garko, CF Ben Francisco, SS Luis Valbuena, C Kelly Shoppach. LHP Cliff Lee (3-6, 3.17).

 

 

CARDINALS (34-29): SS Brendan Ryan, LF Rick Ankiel, 1B Albert Pujols, RF Ryan Ludwick, DH Nick Stavinoha, C Yadier Molina, CF Colby Rasmus, 3B Tyler Greene, 2B Jared Shumaker. RHP Chris Carpenter (4-0, 1.23).

Today's 4:10 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on FOX and WTAM.

INDIANS (28-35): 3B Jamey Carroll, LF Mark DeRosa, C Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, SS Jhonny Peralta, DH Travis Hafner, 1B Ryan Garko, 2B Luis Valbuena, CF Trevor Crowe. RHP Tomo Ohka (0-0, 5.40).

 

 

CARDINALS (33-29): 2B Jared Schumaker, LF Rick Ankiel, 1B Albert Pujols, CF Colby Rasmus, RF Ryan Ludwick, DH Chris Duncan, C Yadier Molina, 3B Joe Thurston, SS Brendan Ryan. RHP Brad Thompson (0-2, 4.50).

A very touching story developed in Chagrin Falls last summer, and it led to the Indians' latest community endeavor.

 

A 9-year-old boy named Quinn Clarke, who is battling a rare form of cancer that affects roughly 100 people in the entire world, told his mom he wanted to use kickball to raise money to fight pediatric cancer. Five days later, 500 people from Quinn's neighborhood gathered for a kickball event that generated thousands of dollars for Flashes of Hope -- the non-profit organization founded by Quinn's parents that raises money for this worthy cause.

 

Now, the Indians are involved with Flashes of Hope for a new initiative in which kickball kits are being sold at kick-it.org and in the Indians Team Shops for $29.95 to raise additional money for the charity. You can set up kickball games in your neighborhood, and teams of kids will be chosen to play kickball at Progressive Field following Sunday home games in August and September.

 

It's a great story, a great cause and a great way to spend 30 bucks. Find out more and order your kit right here.

The gulls have taken over at Progressive Field. What was once a cute distraction became national news last night, when Shin-Soo Choo's game-winning single struck a bird, who came out with a limp, a missing feather and a story to tell his kids.

 

Members of the Indians' ballpark operations staff were holed up in a meeting this afternoon to discuss the problem, and the club sent out a press release regarding the situation. This if the official word from vice president of public relations Bob DiBiasio:

 

"Over the past few weeks, the Cleveland Indians have been doing extensive research regarding the gull issue we've encountered at Progressive Field this season. This research has included contacting a variety of institutions, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Wildlife Research Center (including Hopkins and Burke Lakefront Airports), Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Ohio Division of Wildlife and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, to name a few.  Main reason for this issue has been the increase of nesting pairs in Cleveland's 'Flats' on flat top roof buildings. Gulls are riding the wind currents up the valley walls to the ballpark in search for food scraps to feed their young. The Indians are continuing to research ways to control this issue under the guidance of gulls being federally protected."

I spoke with Harvey Webster, a wildlife expert at the Natural History Museum, this morning, and he told me we're dealing with some intelligent birds who know how to find free food (sounds like some media members I know... well, minus the intelligence, of course). Webster had some thoughts on why they might be here and whether the Indians have any chance of doing something about them.

 

That story is right here.

 

In the meantime...

 

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

 

• Surprising nobody, Anthony Reyes had both the ulnar nerve transposition surgery and the Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in California this afternoon. As a result, he won't be back for a year.
• Eric Wedge spoke at length today about how valuable Jamey Carroll is to this club. He said he views Carroll as more than your standard utility guy. "He's more of a regular," Wedge said, "but he's not a guy you're going to play seven days a week. If you give him calculated days off, he's going to perform."
• And now, Carroll is the Tribe's leadoff man - at least, on the days he starts. Ben Francisco, who is 4-for-his-last-30, kind of nosedived in the leadoff role, so it's Carroll's turn. "I like him up at the top of the order, whether it's leadoff or the two hole," Wedge said of Carroll.
• When it comes to that play involving the bird last night, the consensus in the Indians' clubhouse has been that Coco Crisp had no chance of throwing out Mark DeRosa, whether the ball struck the bird or not. That's difficult to dispute, if you've ever seen Coco throw.
• DeRosa said he was less concerned with the bird and more worried that Choo's ball was struck too hard. He had already taken off for third and was momentarily concerned the ball would be caught on the fly.
• Wedge said Luis Valbuena's numbers (.203 average, 277 on-base percentage, .351 slugging percentage) are no indication of the tough at-bats he's put up. He said Valbuena has not been overmatched up here. "He's a fierce competitor," Wedge said. "He's very demanding of himself." He's also off for the night.
• The Indians have now won six games in which they were trailing after six innings. That surpasses last year's total.
• A total of 10 Major League games were decided by one run last night.
• Tomo Ohka will be the 507^th starting pitcher used in the history of the Indians franchise tomorrow night, but he'll be just the second born in Japan. The legendary Kaz Tadano made four starts in 2004. Ohka will be the 10^th starter used this season.
• Jake Westbrook's second rehab start with Double-A Akron was rained out last night. He'll oppose Portland tonight, throwing four innings.
• Scott Lewis threw three perfect innings for Class A Lake County against Delmarva last night. He'll make his next rehab start Tuesday.
• The bullpen has allowed just one run over its last 12 1/3 innings of work, over three games.
• Former Browns tight end Aaron Shea watched batting practice today. He wore an Affliction T-shirt.

~AC

The gulls aren't the only birds in town. Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game against the Cardinals will be broadcast on WTAM and STO. The Indians have another new leadoff hitter.

INDIANS (27-35): 2B Jamey Carroll, 3B Mark DeRosa, 1B Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, SS Jhonny Peralta, DH Travis Hafner, CF Ben Francisco, LF Ryan Garko, C Kelly Shoppach. LHP David Huff (1-2, 8.71).

 

 

CARDINALS (33-28): SS Brendan Ryan, CF Rick Ankiel, 1B Albert Pujols, RF Ryan Ludwick, LF Nick Stavinoha, DH Chris Duncan, C Yadier Molina, 3B Tyler Greene, 2B Joe Thurston. RHP Joel Piniero (5-6, 3.97).

A wet and dreary day at the ballpark this afternoon led to batting practice taking place inside. So all the real entertainment had to come elsewhere...

Seen and heard No. 1: Walking by the ticket booth this afternoon, I overhead a guy say to the clerk, "Is this where you buy the Akron Aeros tickets? There are so many Minor Leaguers on this team!" He was really proud of himself for this witty banter. A nice effort, but Columbus Clippers would have been much more accurate.

Seen and heard No. 2: Bob Feller stopped in the hallway near the press box and was trying to read the writing on his jacket. I told him it read, "Cleveland Orchestra." When I commented that it was a nice item, he said, "The price was right." Feller gets a lot of freebies.

Seen and heard No. 3: Eric Wedge was working out in the weight room, where the "50 Most Outrageous Moments" in baseball history were airing on TV. One clip was of Chan Ho Park karate kicking the Angels' Tim Belcher, who is now a special assistant to the Indians' front office. Wedge got a big kick (no pun intended) out of this. "Belcher's in like five of the 50 outrageous moments," Wedge said.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Pitching coach Carl Willis explained the rotation flip-flop of David Huff and Tomo Ohka. While the original goal of separating similarly styled lefties Jeremy Sowers and Huff in next week's Brewers series was scrapped (they'll start back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday), Willis said he looked at the rotation long-term and saw that the Indians can go with four starters for two turns through the rotation after next Thursday's off day. So Ohka can make this one start Saturday and then get skipped. And by the time the fifth spot is needed again, Jake Westbrook and/or Aaron Laffey might be ready to return.
• Jhonny Peralta is back to shortstop and Luis Valbuena is back to second because Wedge felt Jamey Carroll needed a day off.
• The First-Year Player Draft has come to a close. You can find the recaps of the Indians' first 30 picks here: Day 1. Day 2. A recap of the Tribe's Draft, as a whole, is right here.
• A certain segment of the population no doubt enjoyed and appreciated the Draft's move to prime-time for the first three rounds, though I'm not sure the execution was quite what it should have been. If you're going to make the Draft a centerpiece event, as MLB has done, why hold it at the same time as many of your games? Why not hold the prime-time portion of the Draft on, say, a Monday, have little to no game action that day, and make the Draft the only show in town, so to speak?
• One reason the Indians felt comfortable using back-to-back picks on pitchers from the University of Arizona is the success, so far, with last year's selection of left-hander Eric Berger from that very school. Berger won his fourth game for Class A Kinston last night at Myrtle Beach. He is now 4-4 with a 2.37 ERA in 12 starts, ranking fourth in the Carolina League with 54 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings.
• Tomorrow night marks the start of 15 straight games against NL Central opponents. The Indians are 109-105 all-time in Interleague Play.
• The Tribe ranks sixth in the AL in fielding percentage (.985) and leads the AL with 74 double plays turned. Shin-Soo Choo is now tied for fourth among AL outfielders with four assists.
• On a sad note, Woodie Held, who played seven seasons with the Tribe from 1958-64, passed away this morning at the age of 77 after a long battle with cancer.
• The Indians and American Red Cross will team up for a blood drive before Tuesday's game against the Brewers. It will take place on the Gateway Plaza from noon to 8 p.m. ET. And it's dollar dog night, so you can give blood and then harden your arteries a little bit.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game will air on WTAM and STO.

INDIANS (26-35): LF Ben Francisco, 3B Mark DeRosa, C Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, SS Jhonny Peralta, DH Ryan Garko, 1B Chris Gimenez, 2B Luis Valbuena, CF Trevor Crowe. LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-3, 5.40).

 

 

ROYALS (25-33): LF David DeJesus, CF Coco Crisp, 1B Billy Butler, RF Jose Guillen, 2B Alberto Callaspo, DH Brayan Pena, C Miguel Olivo, 3B Willie Bloomquist, SS Tony Pena. RHP Zack Greinke (8-2, 1.55).

I'll confess I have no idea what's going on with the new ratings system on here. Such changes are instituted by the blog Powers That Be.

Personally, I don't feel the need to be rated, ever since the unfortunate results of my appearance on the "Am I Hot or Not?" Web site.

But I must say I do like the "related articles" link. It reminds me of going to Blockbuster and looking at the "If you liked this, you'll love this..." section. I wish we could rename this section of the blog "Vincent's Picks." And don't worry, we'll never call it "Gene's Picks," unless you're the type that likes "Weekend at Bernie's II" (and longtime readers of the Inbox nee Mailbag will note that's the first Bernie's reference in quite some time).

All right. Where were we?

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• All that talk about separating Jeremy Sowers and David Huff with Tomo Ohka (not for this time through the rotation but next time), and the Indians just changed course today. Huff is now slated to start Friday against the Cardinals, with Ohka getting the ball Saturday. So the Indians are still separating two lefties. It's just that the lefties are Huff and Lee and not Sowers and Huff. But this would presumably mean Sowers and Huff start consecutive games against the Brewers on Tuesday and Wednesday, which seems odd, given that they are so similarly styled.
• Lots of injury updates for you, courtesy of head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff. The big news is that not only is Anthony Reyes having the ulnar nerve transposition surgery recommended by the Indians, but he might also mix in a little Tommy John, for good measure. Dr. Lewis Yocum will perform the transposition on Friday and, if he discovers the ligament needs to be replaced, he'll perform the Tommy John. If Reyes just has the transposition, he'll miss four to six months. If he has the Tommy John, he'll be a year away from being ready to pitch in the big leagues. Either way, his '09 season is over.
• The transposition surgery was originally to take place last Friday, but Reyes didn't immediately consent to the possibility of Tommy John until he had several conversations with Yocum. So that was the holdup.
• Grady Sizemore's elbow pain has subsided in some areas, but he's still feeling it on the joint. He'll stay away from baseball activities for the next five days and have an MRI on Monday. The Indians still hope to avoid arthroscopic surgery on Sizemore. That surgery would cost him an additional four to six weeks.
• It was reported yesterday that Jake Westbrook (Tommy John surgery) will make his second rehab start for Double-A Akron, tossing four innings on Thursday. And Scott Lewis (strained left forearm) is joining him on the rehab trail. Lewis will pitch three innings for Class A Lake County on Thursday. Westbrook will make a total of four or five rehab starts, and Lewis will probably make three to five.
• Asdrubal Cabrera (left shoulder joint sprain) will be taking groundballs by this weekend. He's responding well to treatment so far, and the hope is that he'll be able to swing a bat in the next four to seven days.
• Aaron Laffey (strained right oblique) threw a 30-pitch bullpen of nothing but fastballs and changeups on Tuesday and will throw a 40-pitch session using all his pitches on Thursday. The Indians are still hoping he can return at the end of this month or early in July.
• The Indians spent 62 days in last place.
• Triple-A Columbus outfielder Michael Brantley has been on a tear of late, batting .351 (27-for-77) with five doubles, two homers, nine RBIs and 17 runs scored since May 21. He's raised his average from .233 to .275. He's batting .441 in June.
• The Diamondbacks drafted my favorite member of the 2009 class.
• Sunday's game against the Cardinals is a Cy Young special, as Cliff Lee will oppose Chris Carpenter. Don't forget that's now an 8:09 p.m. ET start, because it will be ESPN's "Sunday Game of the Week."
• It was 50 years ago today that Rocky Colavito captured the attention and imagination of Tribe fans with his four-homer game in Baltimore. My dad idolized the Rock, so I've been hearing about this game my whole life. In this link, the Plain Dealer's Bill Lubinger looks back on that historic day.

Finally today, on a note that does not fall into the realm of the minutia, Dick Jacobs was laid to rest this morning. Commissioner Bud Selig released the following statement about Jacobs: "Dick Jacobs was a true gentleman and a dear friend who did a magnificent job during his tenure as the owner of the Cleveland Indians from 1986-2001.  Under his stewardship, the Indians emerged as a model franchise and a perennial contender.  Dick understood the franchise's significance to the community and used the club and the ballpark to improve the infrastructure of the city.

"Dick was one of the most enlightened and influential owners and was very helpful to me in restructuring the economics of baseball and in many other areas during the 1990s when we really changed the game. His legacy in his beloved Ohio will remain for generations and is best exemplified by the beautiful ballpark that has helped revitalize Cleveland.  On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest sympathy to his family and friends." 

~AC

UPDATE: David Dellucci has resurfaced. He signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays.

UPDATE No. 2: Check out the Indians' video tribute to Dick Jacobs here.

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on STO and WTAM.

INDIANS (26-34): CF Ben Francisco, 2B Jamey Carroll, 1B Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, LF Mark DeRosa, DH Travis Hafner, 3B Jhonny Peralta, SS Luis Valbuena, C Kelly Shoppach. RHP Carl Pavano (6-4, 4.63).

 

 

ROYALS (24-33): LF David DeJesus, CF Willie Bloomquist, 1B Billy Butler, RF Jose Guillen, 3B Mark Teahen, 2B Alberto Callaspo, DH Brayan Pena, C Miguel Olivo, SS Tony Pena. RHP Gil Meche (2-5, 4.08).

With the 15th overall selection in the First-Year Player Draft, the Indians selected North Carolina right-hander Alex White.

This is what the MLB.com scouting report had to say about White:

"White was a top high school prospect in 2006, but went to UNC instead. He's still one of the better arms now, though his performance in the spring has been a little uneven. He does have plus stuff with a fastball-slider combination along with the makings of two other pitches. He doesn't always command his fastball that well, but that could be corrected with some mechanical tweaks. With his stuff and his track record, he's likely to go pretty early on Draft."

White's team is still active in the College World Series.

More to come on White and tonight's other two selections at Indians.com.

UPDATE: The Indians plan to turn White into a bullpen guy. Scouting director Brad Grant said he views White as a back-end, power arm.

I knew my "Top 5 Rock Songs" list would lead to its share of second-guessing, and count me among the second-guessers.

The list was written without an appearance by The Beatles, and I felt guilty about that even as I wrote it. Certainly, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was under consideration because of the influence it had on the genre and the thousands upon thousands of bands that were formed in the wake of its performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

But in my opinion, there's a difference between a list of the greatest songs and a list of the most influential songs. That latter list -- which, for the record, is much more difficult to concoct -- might look something like this:

1. "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley
2. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles
3. "Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan
4. "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones
5. "Respect" by Aretha Franklin

That's an impossible list, though. You can make a strong argument for the inclusion of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," John Lennon's "Imagine," among many others. I mean, there's no way to make that list and make it accurate.

Now, as far as the list of greatest songs is concerned, my hope was to pick out five that best illustrated some of rock's most archetypal themes. I went with the desperate push for escape in "Born to Run," the biting vitriol of "Like A Rolling Stone," the sexual tension of "Satisfaction," the visions of grandeur in "Johnny B. Goode" and the social consciousness of "Pride (In the Name of Love)."

But here's where I whiffed. "Pride" was not the right choice for No. 5. Heck, it wasn't even the right U2 selection for that theme. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" would have been a better selection. But the song that really belongs in that spot (and, actually, a notch higher) is Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son." It is three minutes of raw, passionate rebellion and anti-war venom, and it deserves my meager recognition. My apologies to John Fogerty and his entire family.

So, the list has been edited below. I feel much better about it now.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled baseball season.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Track the First-Year Player Draft here. Today's action will consist of three rounds. The Indians have the 15th, 63rd and 94th selections overall. MLB.com and Indians.com will be your source for more Draft info than you can handle.
• Eric Wedge said Joe Smith will probably work the sixth and seventh innings, initially. It is the Indians' belief that they haven't really seen the real Joe Smith yet this season, because of all the medical drama he's endured since early in Spring Training camp.
• As mentioned below, Jhonny Peralta's out of the lineup tonight because of his poor numbers against Bannister. But the Indians knew Bannister was coming before today. Peralta, 0-for-his-last-11, is getting his second multiple-game benching of the season.
• Head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff will update the media on the Indians' various medical issues on Wednesday. That's expected to include an update as to whether or not Anthony Reyes will have the season-ending ulnar transposition surgery the Indians are recommending.
• Soloff's update will also include mention of the status of Grady Sizemore, who continues to get treatment while staying away from any and all baseball activities, with the hope that his elbow inflammation will calm down. Sizemore has another week of inactivity to go before the Indians decide if he'll need arthroscopic surgery that would cost him another four to six weeks of the season.
• Wedge said Sizemore is feeling better, but... "We're not going to know anything until he picks up a ball and starts swinging a bat."
• The Indians' 40 players used at the big league level this season are the most in the Majors, according to STATS LLC. The Nationals are second, with 39. The 22 pitchers used are also first, and the nine starting pitchers used ranks tied for fourth.
• Jake Westbrook was in the clubhouse today. He said he's progressing well in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. His next start for Double-A Akron will take place Thursday. He's scheduled to go four innings.
• The South Atlantic League announced its All-Star selections, and a pair of Captains made the list. Left-hander Alexander Perez (4-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 starts) and infielder Karexon Sanchez (.274 with seven homers, seven doubles and 31 RBIs in 52 games) made the cut. They are both products of the club's Latin American operations.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game will be broadcast on WTAM and STO. Eric Wedge said Jhonny Peralta is out of the lineup for a second straight game because of his poor career numbers (2-for-17) against Brian Bannister.

INDIANS (25-34): CF Ben Francisco, 3B Jamey Carroll, 1B Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, LF Mark DeRosa, DH Travis Hafner, C Kelly Shoppach, SS Luis Valbuena, 2B Josh Barfield. LHP Cliff Lee (3-6, 2.96).

 

 

ROYALS (24-32): CF Coco Crisp, LF David DeJesus, 1B Billy Butler, RF Jose Guillen, DH Mike Jacobs, 2B Alberto Callaspo, 3B Mark Teahen, C Miguel Olivo, SS Willie Bloomquist. RHP Brian Bannister (4-3, 4.97).

It's been an eventful year for Indians right-hander Joe Smith, for all the wrong reasons. But Smith had good news Tuesday.

The Indians activated Smith from the 15-day disabled list after a brief Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. Smith, recovering from a strained right rotator cuff, threw five scoreless innings for the Clippers. He gave up just four hits and a walk with six strikeouts.

To make room for Smith on the active roster and in the 'pen, the Indians optioned left-hander Tony Sipp back down to Columbus for the second time in the past month. In two stints with the Tribe, Sipp went 0-0 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 games, walking 10 and striking out 10 in 8 2/3 innings.

When the Indians acquired Smith from the Mets as part of a three-team, 12-player trade during the Winter Meetings, they had hoped he'd become a key setup man in the back end of their 'pen. But early in Spring Training camp, he was held back because of a viral infection. He never really got on track after that. Once the regular season began, he went 0-0 with a 7.11 ERA in eight games.

Smith went on the DL on April 29, and it was expected to be a short stay. The Indians figured to use the DL move as a way to give Smith time in the Minors to make up for the time he missed in spring camp. But a setback with the shoulder lengthened his stay.

Not that you asked, but...

Top 5 Rock Songs of All-Time:

1. "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
2. "Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan
3. "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones
4. "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
5. "Pride (In the Name of Love)" by U2 "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry

Open to your comments, certainly, but not exactly negotiable.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• The rotation coming out of Monday's off day will look like this: Cliff Lee, Carl Pavano and Jeremy Sowers will pitch Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, against the Royals, and Tomo Ohka, David Huff and Lee will pitch Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively, against the Cardinals.
• Jake Westbrook tossed three scoreless innings for Akron in his first Minor League rehab start Saturday. He gave up a hit and a walk with a strikeout. He's slated to throw four innings in his next start.
• Anthony Reyes had his visit with Dr. Lewis Yocum in California last week but no final determination was made on whether he'll have the season-ending ulnar nerve transposition surgery the Indians are recommending. Yocum ordered more tests on the elbow. The Indians should know more by the middle of the week.
• Carl Pavano has now pitched a shutout for four different teams in his career - the Expos, Marlins, Yankees and Indians. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Mike Hampton is the only other active pitcher to toss a shutout in four different uniforms. Hampton did it for the Astros, Mets, Rockies and Braves.
• Today ends a stretch of 20 games in 20 days and 37 games in 38 days for the Tribe.
• Triple-A Columbus won, 12-0, at Gwinnett on Saturday, with top outfield prospects Michael Brantley (4-for-5 with a homer, two RBIs and two walks) and Matt LaPorta (2-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs) having particularly big days.
• Class A Kinston will have three representatives at the Carolina League All-Star Game on June 23, and all three were members of the Tribe's 2008 amateur Draft class. Infielders Lonnie Chisenhall and Cord Phelps and left-hander Eric Berger will play for the Carolina League against the California League in Lake Elsinore, Calif.
• This was a family trip for the Tribe, meaning several players' wives were on the charter. That included Shin-Soo Choo's wife, Woon Mi, who had never previously made such a trip with her husband. What was her take on Chicago? "She looks around and says, 'Ooh!'" Choo said. "The only big city she's used to is Cleveland. She says this looks so different."

~AC

Today's 2:10 p.m. ET game, weather-permitting, will be broadcast on WTAM and STO.

INDIANS (24-34): RF Ben Francisco, 2B Jamey Carroll, DH Victor Martinez, LF Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Mark DeRosa, C Kelly Shoppach, 1B Chris Gimenez, SS Luis Valbuena, CF Trevor Crowe. LHP David Huff (0-2, 9.77).

 

 

WHITE SOX (25-29): LF Scott Podsednik, SS Alexei Ramirez, RF Jermaine Dye, 1B Paul Konerko, DH Josh Fields, C Ramon Castro, CF Brian Anderson, 2B Chris Getz, 3B Gordon Beckham. RHP Bartolo Colon (3-5, 3.75).

The Chicago regional of the 2009 U.S. Air Guitar Championships takes place tonight in Wrigleyville. Not that I'm telling you anything you didn't already know.

Apparently, unbeknownst to me, the Cleveland regional took place earlier this week. Congrats to Dave Weissman (whose Spinal Tap spinoff stage name is "Derek Not So Smalls") for winning that event for the third year straight.

Unfortunately, the reigning Chicago region champ, Justin Howard (stage name: Nordic Thunder) is unable to perform tonight, due to an air guitar-related back injury.

The regionals are held in 25 cities, with the winners of each region advancing to the U.S. finals (location yet to be announced) in August. And the winner there moves on to the world championship in Finland.

All this goes to show we've really come a long way as human beings, haven't we?

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• Whoever predicted Josh Barfield would be out of the lineup after going 2-for-4 last night was spot-on. Congrats. You've been paying attention this season.
• Eric Wedge said Barfield was in there Friday because Wedge didn't want to have Jamey Carroll playing five straight days with a fractured right middle finger. But Carroll has past numbers against Gavin Floyd (4-for-9 with two doubles), so he's back in there today. Still not exactly sure why Luis Valbuena gets the starting nod over Carroll Barfield.
• Jake Westbrook is making his first rehab start for Double-A Akron today, getting the nod in the first game of a doubleheader at Altoona.
• Rotation-wise, the Indians are hoping to hold on for dear life this month until Westbrook (who will need probably four to six starts in the Minors) and Aaron Laffey are ready to come off the DL. With three off days in a 15-day span, beginning Monday, the Tribe can get a little creative with the rotation and perhaps skip a guy along the way.
• Still no determination as to when Tomo Ohka will get a start. The Indians' spot for Thursday against the Royals is TBD.
• Right-handed reliever Joe Smith will be back with the Tribe any day now. If I had to guess, I'd say Tuesday. Smith threw a perfect inning against Charlotte yesterday, striking out all three batters he faced. He has worked four scoreless innings in four appearances on his rehab from a strained right rotator cuff. "It's been good for him to be down there to get the appearances he needs to get comfortable," Wedge said.
• Regarding a comment I read from yesterday's post, Carl Pavano, at his current rate, is projected to go 17-11 with a 4.63 ERA in 205 innings over 34 starts this season. If that were to happen, Pavano would make an additional $3.5 million in performance incentives, on top of the $1.5 million he is guaranteed this season. So, $5 million total. Obviously, this is just a projection, so take it for what it's worth, but it gives you a pretty good idea of how Pavano's contract is structured.
• If you could somehow take away Pavano's disastrous Tribe debut in Texas on April 9 (nine runs on six hits in one inning), he would be 6-3 with a 3.55 ERA right now.
• Akron manager Mike Sarbaugh earned his 400th career managerial win with last night's 12-5 victory at Altoona.
• Finally, condolences go out to SportsTime Ohio broadcaster Matt Underwood after the death of his mother, Sophia, this week. Al Pawlowski is filling in on the STO broadcasts.

~AC

Today's 4:05 p.m. ET game at U.S. Cellular Field will be broadcast by FOX and WTAM.

INDIANS (24-33): CF Ben Francisco, 3B Jamey Carroll, C Victor Martinez, LF Shin-Soo Choo, SS Jhonny Peralta, DH Travis Hafner, RF Mark DeRosa, 1B Ryan Garko, 2B Luis Valbuena. LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 6.16).

 

 

WHITE SOX (25-29): LF Scott Podsednik, SS Alexei Ramirez, DH Jim Thome, 1B Paul Konerko, C A.J. Pierzynski, 3B Josh Fields, RF Jayson NIx, 2B Chris Getz, CF Brian Anderson. RHP Gavin Floyd (3-5, 5.75).

Those of us in the media get treated pretty well. We are given pre- and postgame access to the clubhouse. We are fed. We are often placed in premium seats above and behind home plate. And when we arrive to work, we have, at our disposal, more notes and statistics than you could fit in this or any blog.

Except at U.S. Cellular Field, that is.

Here in Chicago, the press box was recently moved up a level and down the first-base line. This was done so that the former press box could be turned into the Jim Beam Club, where the Sox's more sophisticated fans can dissect the game's finer points while slamming shots of Kentucky's finest straight bourbon.

This year, the powers that be decided to "go green" and stop printing out notes and stats for the media. It's an effort to help the environment (I'm sure it has nothing to do with saving money), and I applaud it.

In fact, I humbly submit a few other suggestions for the White Sox to further enhance the experience of covering a ballgame in U.S. Cellular Field in an environmentally sound manner.

1. Take away our chairs. Just imagine how much more attentive the media will be when it's a standing-room-only environment. The chair I'm currently sitting in is rather comfortable. I'm sure it would bring the Sox a few bucks on eBay, and that's money that could be used to support any number of environmental causes.

2. No more electricity. Those billion-gigawatt lights that illuminate the field for night games should adequately support the press box, as well. And have you seen the battery life of the modern laptop? We don't need plugs.

3. Eliminate all restrooms. Think of all the plumbing hassles and wasted water that will be avoided when media members are no longer permitted to go to the bathroom. And to those who question this new policy, just repeat what Elaine said to George when he was caught urinating in his gym's shower: "Did you ever hear of ... holding it in?"

4. Cancel the food service. Sure, a few sportswriters will go hungry. But let's face it, most of us are overweight, anyway. And if you take away the food and water, you'll be that much closer to a solution to the bathroom predicament. That's called killing two birds with one stone, people.

Yes, the key to reducing U.S. Cellular Field's carbon footprint is obvious. Mess with the press, and all your problems are solved.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• The Indians are, as you might imagine, bracing themselves for the possibility that this season simply isn't going anywhere. As much as the Indians have been through this season, they entered tonight a reasonable seven games back in the AL Central. But when you factor in the injuries, the inconsistencies and the general snake-bitten nature of this club, it's hard to imagine a comeback.
• In talking with general manager Mark Shapiro today, I got the sense that he's coming around to that concept, too. He didn't repeat the mantra that the Indians are "one good week away" from being back in contention. Rather, with regard to the still-developing trade market, he said the Tribe is "on the sideline" right now, "keeping a pulse" of what's going on. Stay tuned.
• Double-A Akron right-hander Hector Rondon, one of the top pitching prospects in the system, left his start Thursday at Reading in the middle of the fourth inning with right biceps soreness. He is listed as day to day. You'll remember that the Indians briefly moved Rondon into relief last month before going back to starting. 
• Travis Hafner is going to reduce the number of swings he takes pregame in an effort to prevent further setbacks with his surgically repaired right shoulder. He'll take BP on the road, where the visiting team hits fairly close to game time. At home, however, he'll probably take some days off from the Indians' team BP work.
• Look for Pronk to start again Saturday and get a day off Sunday. That sounds like the plan, anyway (these things have a way of changing with Hafner, as you've no doubt learned). The basic gist is that Hafner can't play three or four days in a row right now.
• Jamey Carroll had X-rays today on his ugly right middle finger. He injured it Tuesday in Minnesota, fielding a Carlos Gomez grounder. He put his hand in the glove a little too quickly, and the ball struck the tip of the finger. It is now a swollen, purple eyesore with a black nail. It looks like the tip of an ogre's finger (not that I've ever seen an ogre, but I'm just imagining).
• Anyway, as expected, the X-rays revealed a fracture of the joint at the tip of the finger, but it's not anything that affects Carroll on throws, and, therefore, it's nothing he can't play through. "The doctor looked at me like I should be hurting worse than I am," Caroll said. The finger is on the same hand Carroll broke earlier this year.
• Tomo Ohka will fill Fausto Carmona's rotation spot, but the Indians haven't decided when that spot will come up. They have an off day Monday, so they can rearrange their rotation. For now, it's expected that Cliff Lee will pitch Tuesday against Kansas City, and Carl Pavano will pitch Wednesday. Nothing else is determined, but the right-handed Ohka might be used to separate left-handers Jeremy Sowers and David Huff.
• The Indians announced a pair of Minor League signings today. Left-hander Michael Gosling and outfielder Rob Mackowiak are both Columbus-bound.
• Gosling was 7-1 with a save and a 4.37 ERA in 21 appearances for the Twins' Triple-A club in Rochester before being released on June 2. He owns a career Major League record of 3-4 with a 4.79 ERA in 43 appearances, including nine starts, and last reached the bigs with the Reds in 2007.
• Mackowiak played two games at Buffalo before his April 2 release. In parts of eight Major League seasons from 2001-08, he hit .259 with 64 homers and 286 RBIs in 256 games with the Pirates, White Sox, Padres and Nationals.
• The latest Baseball Prospectus postseason odds report gives the Indians an 11.4 percent chance of winning the division and a 1.16 chance of winning the Wild Card.
• As the Indians walked out of the locker room and hit the field for pregame stretching today, Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" was playing on the clubhouse speakers. If that's not a perfect theme song for a team that has eight players on the DL and just sent its No. 2 starter to rookie ball, I don't know what is.

~AC

Tonight's 8:11 p.m. ET game at U.S. Cellular Field will air on STO and WTAM.

INDIANS (23-33): CF Ben Francisco, 3B Mark DeRosa, 1B Victor Martinez, LF Shin-Soo Choo, SS Jhonny Peralta, DH Travis Hafner, RF Ryan Garko, C Kelly Shoppach, 2B Josh Barfield. RHP Carl Pavano (5-4, 5.29).

 

 

WHITE SOX (25-28): LF Scott Podsednik, SS Alexei Ramirez, DH Jim Thome, 1B Paul Konerko, C A.J. Pierzynski, CF Brian Anderson, RF DeWayne Wise, 3B Gordon Beckham, 2B Chris Getz. LHP John Danks (4-3, 4.80).

You had to figure Travis Hafner would be activated off the 15-day disabled list today.

And you might have guessed that Fausto Carmona would get optioned out after another brutal start.

But what you probably wouldn't guess is that Carmona isn't heading to Triple-A Columbus. Rather, the Indians are taking the drastic measure of sending Carmona to the rookie-level Arizona League.

Similar moves have been made in the past with the likes of Roy Halladay, Edinson Volquez and Dontrelle Willis. So this is not without precedent. Still, it speaks to how far Carmona has sunk over the last two years.

Carmona is 2-6 with a 7.42 ERA in 12 starts this season. He has walked 41 batters and struck out 36 in 60 2/3 innings.

More info to come on the Indians.com site as the story develops.

UPDATE: A couple quick updates to this. First off, Tomo Ohka will -- initially, anyway -- take Carmona's spot in the rotation. And that spot will remain in flux, should Ohka falter.

The Indians aren't expecting this to be a quick fix with Carmona. He'll go down in a non-competitive environment and start from scratch, in a sense, and then he'll build back up to game activities once he's back on track. So there's really no timetable for his return. All I can tell you for now is that it's not like he's going to magically reappear in two or three weeks.

Pitching coordinators Dave Miller and Steve Lyons and mental skills coordinator Julio Rangel will work with Carmona. 

Dick Jacobs agreed in 1986 to buy the Indians, and his decision to do so assured his legacy with Indians fans.

 

But it is what the team did under Jacobs' ownership that will linger most in their minds. Jacobs brought back the glory days of Indians baseball, and those things will be what people in Cleveland will miss most.

 

They will, of course, miss Dick Jacobs, too. He has passed away early Friday morning at the age of 83.

 

Jacobs sold the team to Larry Dolan before the 2000 season. Under his ownership, the Tribe won five straight AL Central titles from 1995-99 and went to the World Series in 1995 and '97.

 

The full story will be up on Indians.com shortly.

 

UPDATE: Here is the link to the Jacobs tribute, and here is a link to a story on John Hart's memories of Jacobs.

St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak is looking for a third baseman. And in describing what he's looking for to reporters earlier today, he might as well have just said, "Mark DeRosa."

The Cardinals need a third baseman because Troy Glaus has shoulder ligament damage. The most updated timetable for his return is mid-July or early August.

Basically, what Mozeliak is looking for is a right-handed bat (check) who can play third base (check) until Glaus returns, at which point said bat can slot in elsewhere in the field (check).

The Indians, as you know, have had DeRosa basically on the block for a couple weeks now, because his value to them isn't anywhere near what it was before Jhonny Peralta moved to third base. So this could be an interesting situation to watch in the next couple days.

In return for DeRosa, the Indians would want Major League-ready pitching. I'm told the Cardinals could potentially make right-handed starter Mitchell Boggs available in a trade, but what the Cards really have to offer is an army of right-handed relievers, such as P.J. Walters or Chris Perez . Jason Motte is probably less likely to be dealt.

We'll see what happens, if anything.

In the meantime, just a note that I will not be with the club in Minnesota, so the blog will be lineup- and minutia-less for a few days.

Remember Opening Day?

It was April 6, as I recall. But it might as well have been last September.

Nine players from the Opening Day roster are gone. Rafael Betancourt, Scott Lewis, Anthony Reyes, Joe Smith and Josh Travis Hafner (not his evil brother, Josh, but thanks to the reader who pointed out the mistake) are on the DL. Zach Jackson, Masa Kobayashi, Josh Barfield and Tony Graffanino are in Triple-A.

Even a couple guys who joined the team late are gone. Vinnie Chulk, Rich Rundles and Matt LaPorta have come and gone back to Columbus, and David Dellucci was officially released today, three days after he was designated for assignment.

Today, Betancourt became the eighth player on the Tribe's DL. Only the Rays, with nine, have more. The Indians have used the DL 10 times this season, equaling last year's total (and you thought that club was snake-bitten) and surpassing the totals from 2007 (nine) and 2006 (7).

These guys are about as stable as a two-legged table.

EXCRUCIATING MINUTIA OF THE DAY...

• All injury updates are posted in two stories on the Indians.com site. For information on Betancourt, Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Jake Westbrook, Scott Lewis, Anthony Reyes, Joe Smith and Aaron Laffey click here.
• The other story is an update on Grady Sizemore's condition. Basically, if Sizemore doesn't respond to rest and treatment over the next two weeks, he'll probably have arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow and miss an additional four to six weeks. We'll see.
• Tony Sipp is back, and Wedge said he won't use him strictly in left-on-left matchups. What went wrong for Sipp in his last few big-league outings before his May 17 demotion? He said he let the game speed up on him, and he also made some bad pitch selections. "I was trying to throw a slider I didn't have," Sipp said.
• Carl Pavano's ERA since his first, disastrous start in a Tribe uniform is 4.06.
• Martinez is back in the lineup, but he'll be a slower version of his old self. I didn't think that was possible, unless Martinez runs in reverse.
• The fifth annual Mystery Ball charity event will take place Saturday, June 27, during the game against the Reds. The Indians Wives Association will sell 1,200 signed baseballs at $50 apiece. The balls are signed by players, coaches and managers from all around the Major Leagues. (If you get really lucky, you'll get a Sal Fasano ball, but don't count on it.) A silent auction will also take place in which fans can bid on a Kerry Wood game-used glove, a Victor Martinez catching mask and other items. All those who buy a mystery ball will also be entered into a raffle to win a batting practice experience and a meet and greet with Eric Wedge. The event will take place at Gates A and C that night.

~AC

Tonight's 7:05 p.m. ET game at Progressive Field will air on WTAM and ESPN. Victor Martinez is back in the Tribe's lineup (albeit in the DH role), two days after fouling a pitch off his left knee.

INDIANS (22-30): SS Asdrubal Cabrera, CF Ben Francisco, DH Victor Martinez, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Jhonny Peralta, LF Mark DeRosa, 1B Ryan Garko, 2B Jamey Carroll, C Kelly Shoppach. LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71).

 

 

YANKEES (29-21): SS Derek Jeter, RF Nick Swisher, 1B Mark Teixeira, DH Alex Rodriguez, C Jorge Posada, 2B Robinson Cano, LF Melky Cabrera, 3B Angel Berroa, CF Brett Gardner. RHP Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.97).