Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/19/06

TALKIN' TRIBE
• Bob Wickman has arrived in camp looking slimmer (OK, just slightly slimmer) than a year ago. He has been saying all the right things about being the No. 3 choice as a closer, after the Tribe was turned down by B.J. Ryan and Trevor Hoffman. The key to the bullpen will be Wickman. If he pitches well, the others will fall into place.
• That was demonstrated in 2004, when Wickman was hurt until midseason and no one could close. They had the worst bullpen in baseball at one point. When Wickman returned and somehow found a way to save 13-of-14 without his slider, the bullpen actually was above average. In 2005, it was the best in the American League.
• The Indians received calls from at least 15 teams about Rafael Betancourt. Scouts love how he had 73 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 68 innings. Overall, he was 4-3 with a 2.79 ERA. Not much is being said about it, but he's a strong contender to take over Bob Howry's old role of pitching in the eighth inning.
• The Indians have to be careful about pitching Betancourt too much. He has a surgically repaired arm in his background. He had 54 appearances last season, which is about right for him. He can pitch multiple innings.
• Manager Eric Wedge has talked about Guillermo Mota in the eighth inning. I'd prefer Betancourt and young Fernando Cabrera, at least until Mota proves his arm is sound. The Indians keep reminding me that he did pitch 67 innings last year, but his ERA was 4.70 and he allowed 97 base runners.
• The Indians can't wait to get a good look at Andrew Brown in games. He came to the Tribe from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Milton Bradley deal. A starter for most of his career, they put him in the bullpen last season. After June 23, he made 23 appearances with Class AAA Buffalo and had a 1.32 ERA with 32 strikeouts and only 13 hits in 32 innings. He's 25, looks a little like former Indian Eric Plunk and has averaged 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/20/06

Posted on Mon, Feb. 20, 2006
Notebook

Goal for Martinez to catch a break

Wedge wants catcher to be occasional DH

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - The name of the game: Easing up on Victor.
Last year, Victor Martinez started 139 games behind the plate for the Indians, second most in the American League to Jason Kendall, who caught 146 for the Oakland Athletics.
``We felt like we had to keep Victor in the lineup because of the injury to Travis Hafner,'' manager Eric Wedge said Sunday.
With the 2005 Indians trying to catch the division-leading Chicago White Sox, they needed Martinez's bat in the lineup every day. That hasn't changed, but Wedge will try extra hard not to burden him with so many games behind the plate.
``This year, we need Hafner to play a little more first base, so Victor can be the (occasional) DH,'' Wedge said. ``Victor also is taking more ground balls at first, so he can play a little there. It's tough to take his offense out of the lineup.''
Wedge is reluctant to announce his target number for Martinez behind the plate, saying: ``Last year we pushed him about as far as we should. He had a good second half at the plate, but it's not just about that. It's also how he felt when he was catching.''
Hafner was severely limited in his ability to play first base in 2005 because of a sore elbow.
``He's felt good doing his throwing program,'' Wedge said. ``Hopefully, that won't be a factor.''
Even if Hafner is healthy enough to play first, the platoon tandem of Ben Broussard and Eduardo Perez will be the regulars at the position.
Up in the air
During the winter, General Manager Mark Shapiro announced that Jason Davis would try to win a job as a reliever during spring training. If he didn't make it, he would be in the rotation at Triple-A Buffalo.
That is not the case now.
``That's to be determined,'' Wedge said.
``Jason will compete for a spot in the bullpen now, but (if he fails to make the roster), we'll see how it plays out. We have more depth starters than we did a year ago, so Jason could pitch in relief at Triple-A.''
A dangerous game
Brad Snyder, the top outfielder in the Indians' farm system, learned Sunday that a game of catch can be hazardous to your health.
Playing catch with a teammate, Snyder missed the ball and it hit him in the face, giving him a bloody nose.
``I wouldn't call that an injury,'' Wedge said with a smile.
Baseball to come
Wedge has scheduled intrasaquad games for Feb. 28 and March 1.
In contrast to the norm, no ``B'' games are scheduled, though the Tribe has three split-squad days during the exhibition season.
Minor deal
With the acquisition of third baseman Andy Marte in the deal that sent outfielder Coco Crisp to the Boston Red Sox, there was no room at Buffalo for third baseman Andy Tracy, who was shipped to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named.
Tracy, 32, was signed in December and spent most of last season in Japan. He has spent 10 years in the minors, having been drafted in 1996 by the Montreal Expos after setting the career home record at Bowling Green.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/20/06

Posted on Mon, Feb. 20, 2006
It's game, not name

Michaels plans to play his way and not worry about replacing Crisp in Tribe lineup, outfield

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Jason Michaels listens closely when he's told about Indians fans who are discontented with owner Larry Dolan; that Dolan -- fairly or not -- has gained a reputation for being thrifty to a fault, and that the trade of Coco Crisp was viewed by much of the public as a ploy to trim salary.
So what has all of this got to do with Michaels? Logically, not much, yet as the man who will replace Crisp in left field, he is smack in the middle of a vortex of fan anxiety.
``I've heard that Coco was a fan favorite; he's a good player,'' Michaels said Sunday after a workout at Chain O' Lakes Park. ``But I can't worry about that.''
Of course, that's what they all say. Yet, being a target of his own team's fans is not a role a player would seek. On the other hand, Michaels was exposed to some of the toughest fans in baseball as the No. 4 outfielder of the Philadelphia Phillies.
``The only things I can worry about are the game, my offense and the way I play defense in left field,'' he said. ``The fans have every right to feel the way they want. If I do something wrong, they should boo. I'd boo myself.''
That said, Michaels will be replacing a player who batted .300 with 42 doubles, 16 home runs, 69 RBI, 15 steals and had one of the coolest names in baseball.
Michaels is a different kind of hitter than Crisp. He likes to work the count, make pitchers sweat to throw strikes. He's not an RBI guy, doesn't run much, but he does reach base.
Last year, he compiled a .399 on-base percentage playing in 105 games and getting 289 at-bats.
``I just try to have good at-bats,'' Michaels said. ``That's the only thing I can control. I want to put a good swing on the ball and hit it hard. If I hit it hard and it's not right to someone, I have a good chance of getting a hit.''
Sounds simple enough, but obviously everything is in the execution.
``I just want him to come over here and do what he's been doing,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``But I also think he'll improve because of the teammates he has around him and the fact that he'll play every day.''
Michaels, 29, has not been a regular in his five big-league seasons.
``I never really had that chance in Philadelphia,'' he said. ``I did play (center) every day for the last two months in 2004, and I thought I'd be there for 2005.''
Ironically, a guy from Cleveland came between Michaels and his opportunity. The Phillies signed former Tribe center fielder Kenny Lofton last year, and he received the lion's share of the playing time.
``I've seen Jason play in the minors, both at the Double-A and Triple-A level,'' Wedge said. ``I've seen little pieces of his play in the big leagues. He's always been a hard-nosed type of guy. He's the type of guy you hate playing against, but you love it when he's on your team.''
Michaels will bat second in the lineup, so he'll be asked to move runners as well as get himself on base.
``I hit in the two hole last year, so I'm comfortable with it,'' he said. ``But I really want to work on my bunting in camp. I didn't have to do much of that last season.''
This is the first time Michaels has been traded. Usually, the first time is accompanied by feelings of rejection, as in, ``How could my organization not want me anymore?''
``I heard rumors of a trade to several teams, but I didn't even think about Cleveland,'' Michaels said. ``I had mixed emotions when it happened. Philadelphia drafted me and gave me a chance. But I've heard nothing but good things about the Indians.''
Michaels does not have a reputation for being a troublemaker in the clubhouse or in the real world. But last July, he was arrested for punching a police officer after leaving a party at a Philadelphia club at 3 a.m.
He was charged with assault and resisting arrest and sentenced to six months probation plus 100 hours of community service for the Police Athletic League, which he can do both in Winter Haven and Cleveland.
``I would really like to talk about it,'' Michaels said. ``There are always two sides to every story, but my lawyer told me I can't, because there's a civil suit against me.''
Michaels doesn't look at community service as much of a punishment.
``I'm contacting the PAL here to see what I can do,'' he said. ``I mean, working with kids, I was going to do that anyway.''

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

PlainDealer

2/20/06

INDIANS SPRING TRAINING Johnson
Johnson finally strong-arms his way to a contender


Monday, February 20, 2006

Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter

Winter Haven, Fla. - Pete Rose likes to brag about playing in more winning big-league games than anyone - 1,972.

Jason Johnson can only drool.

Johnson, a right-handed pitcher signed by the Indians to a one-year, $4 million contract in the off-season, has not played on one winning team over his nine-year career. The four teams he's played for - Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Detroit - averaged 91 losses a season.

"The Indians are the first team on [which] I can say there is a win ning envi ronment," said Johnson, who will join C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Jake West brook and Paul Byrd in the starting rota tion.

"I am absolutely thrilled about it."

Johnson says that because he's played on so many losing teams, his career record, 52-86, is misleading. "I think I am a much better pitcher than my wins and losses," he said.

Johnson, 32, is known as an innings-eater, who in the past three years has not missed a start. Since 2003, he started 32, 33 and 33 games - pitching 189 2/3, 196 2/3 and a career-high 210 innings, respectively.

He is one of eight pitchers to make 32 or more starts in each of the past three seasons.

"One of our primary criteria when looking for players is dependability," said Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro. "Jason has been a reliable pitcher."
Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge feel that playing on a team expected to challenge for a postseason spot will benefit Johnson. "Winning environments bring out the best in players," Shapiro said.

Wedge agreed. "Jason has pitched on some tough ball clubs," Wedge said. "The environment here will help him.

"Guys feed off each other. He is a real good fit here."

In 33 starts with the Tigers last season, Johnson was 8-13 with a 4.54 ERA. His 19 quality starts (going at least six innings, allowing three or fewer runs) led Detroit's staff.

In six of his 13 losses, the Tigers scored two or fewer runs. But, there were times when he had nothing. The Indians tagged him for seven runs in 3 1/3 innings in a July game. In another July game, against Minnesota, he gave up six runs in four innings. In an August game against Boston, the Red Sox scored nine runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Bottom line: the Indians felt that games started and innings pitched, parlayed with economics, made Johnson a sensible signing.

Johnson is a Type I diabetic. He is the first major-leaguer allowed to wear an insulin pump on the field. It is attached to a belt on the left side of his lower back and regulates the amount of insulin pumped into his body.

"I've been a diabetic since I was 11 years old," Johnson said. "I forget about it when I'm on the field.

"I have talked to a lot of juvenile diabetics, stressing to them that they can make it to the big leagues even with this disease."

Johnson has gone from a fly ball pitcher to one who forces ground balls. His ground ball to fly ball ratio - 1.74 - was second to teammate Jake Westbrook's 3.13 last season.

The change came last spring, thanks to Tigers pitching coach Bob Cluck. "I had been a four-seam power pitcher," Johnson said. "[Cluck] worked with me on a two-seamer that sinks.

"Prior to that, I'd throw maybe eight sinkers a game. Now, it's a lot more. It's been a huge help."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4479

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/21/06

Indians notebook

Sabathia will start Opening Day

Left-hander named Tribe's top starter for fourth year in a row. Michaels to bat second

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Was there ever a doubt? Obviously not.
Manager Eric Wedge on Monday named C.C. Sabathia as the Indians' Opening Day starter for the fourth season in a row.
``C.C. has been our guy,'' Wedge said. ``Last year, he was as good as anyone the last couple of months of the season. And he's done it before.''
Sabathia started the first game of the 2003 and 2004 seasons, and he was scheduled to be the Opening Day starter last year, but he strained an oblique muscle and missed his first two regular-season starts.
When Sabathia returned to the rotation, he struggled until after the All-Star break. Then he changed his approach from strict power to finesse, which allowed him to better command the strike zone.
In his last 11 starts, Sabathia posted a 9-1 record and 2.24 ERA. Overall, he compiled a 15-10 record and 4.03 ERA. In his five big-league seasons, he has averaged almost 14 wins and has a 4.10 ERA.
Wedge declined to name the order of the rotation, saying: ``We haven't talked to the other guys about that yet. I have a pretty good idea how it will set up, but I want to give it a little more time.''
The manager's decision won't be based on a best-to-worst pecking order.
``I never classify it as first best to fifth best,'' Wedge said. ``It's more about the dynamic of the five guys and how to put them together.''
In other words, the Tribe's two lefties, Sabathia and Cliff Lee, probably won't pitch on successive days. Wedge also will try to separate hard throwers from soft throwers.
The other starters are Jake Westbrook, Paul Byrd and Jason Johnson.
As promised
Pitchers failing to hold runners was a big complaint of Tribe fans and an annoyance to Wedge and his staff. As a result, he vowed to do something about it.
Though workouts have just begun, Wedge has put a special emphasis on resolving the problem.
``I had a chance to talk to all the pitchers about it,'' Wedge said. ``It's one of our focuses. This is not about picking runners off. It's about having an awareness of the runner and still being able to execute pitches.''
Wedge declined to specify the tactics his pitchers should use to keep runners close to the bases.
``It's more of a mind-set in terms of controlling runners,'' he said. ``It doesn't matter who's behind the plate. We want to give the catcher the best chance of throwing a guy out. That starts with the pitcher.''
He's No. 2
Wedge thinks that Jason Michaels will be an ideal second batter behind Grady Sizemore.
``He is very good situationally,'' Wedge said. ``He uses the whole field, works the count, and he's hit second before. He's well-suited to that job.''

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/21/06

Reliever on track to return

Karsay ready to pitch after shoulder surgery

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Steve Karsay is not just another fringe player trying to make the team in spring training. At least not to Indians fans.
It was not that long ago that Karsay was a solid-gold setup man and closer for the Tribe. From midway through 1998 to June 2001, when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for the infamous John Rocker, Karsay compiled a 15-14 record with 22 saves and a 3.23 ERA, striking out an average of 7.71 batters per nine innings.
Before coming to the Indians, Karsay's career was put on hold while he recuperated from two elbow surgeries, dating from 1995.
When he began to blow away hitters for the Tribe, Karsay probably thought the hard times were over. Little did he know that his career as athlete/invalid was only beginning.
His latest ordeal came to a head in spring training of 2003, a year after he signed a long-term deal with the New York Yankees.
Karsay pitched relatively well in 2002 (6-4, 12 saves, 3.26 ERA), though his shoulder already was damaged.
``I was pitching with a torn rotator cuff and capsule,'' Karsay said Tuesday after a workout at Chain O'Lakes Park. ``I think my velocity probably was down a little, but I had a solid year.''
Karsay hasn't been able to place such a high value on his workmanship since. In the past three seasons, he has pitched only 22 1/3 big-league innings, none of which he would describe as ``solid.''
``In spring training of 2003, I actually felt my shoulder rip,'' Karsay said. ``But I didn't get the full effect of that until the next day. From that point until now, it's been a living nightmare. I wouldn't wish it on anybody.''
For the first time since 2002, Karsay's right shoulder feels almost normal. He is pain free and is throwing with a natural motion.
Karsay smiles when he thinks about pitching hurt.
``Hurt to me?'' he said. ``I don't even understand the word. I know that I will always feel something, like a little rehab discomfort. But you can deal with that.''
In the spring of 2003, orthopedists in New York and surgeon James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., found nothing wrong, despite ordering a full range of tests, including an MRI.
``The doctors looked at me like I was crazy,'' Karsay said. ``They told me, `Why not try to rehab it?' I took about four cortisone shots to get through March and April.
``I went down to Tampa to rehab and was playing catch with Doc Gooden (who worked for the Yankees), and I couldn't throw without feeling a deep throbbing in my shoulder.''
Karsay went back to Andrews in May and begged him to do something. The only diagnostic tool that hadn't been tried was exploratory surgery. Karsay agreed to undergo a one-hour probing of his shoulder.
``He told me he'd probably do a minor cleanup and that I'd be back pitching in 2 ½ months, so I figured I'd take my chances,'' Karsay said. ``It didn't exactly work out that way. Four hours later, I woke up.''
Once Andrews was able to look at the inside of Karsay's shoulder, he discovered an 80-85 percent tear to the cuff and a shredded capsule.
``Andrews told me I had a 20 percent chance to come back and compete at the major-league level,'' Karsay said. ``The only reason it was that high is that he did my elbow surgery and knew me.''
Karsay moved to Birmingham for eight months to start the rehabilitation process. He had no idea whether he could recover the strength in his shoulder or how long it would take. But he knew his career hung in the balance.
``About 100 things were going through my mind,'' Karsay said.
Indians manager Eric Wedge is a man who knows that injuries can kill a career. Persistent knee problems prematurely ended his days as a player.
``It's a mental battle more than anything,'' Wedge said. ``There are so many frustrations, because you have good days and bad days.''
The Yankees released Karsay in May of 2005, but he latched onto a job with the Texas Rangers. After stints in the minors, he was called up and pitched 15 2/3 innings with a 7.47 ERA.
``Last season, I was probably 70 percent,'' Karsay said. ``It was a very humbling experience.''
Between the summer of 2003 and the end of the 2005 season, Karsay had done nothing but rehab and try to pitch. He needed a break from the grind and took two months off.
The rest seems to have helped. Karsay came to Winter Haven with a strengthened shoulder and renewed enthusiasm. He can even throw a split.
``When I started my long toss program in December, it was like night and day,'' he said. ``I was throwing 150 feet on a line, and my arm recovered the next day.''
Karsay still has to make the team, but that task seems far less daunting.
``I wake up every day and thank the Lord that I feel good,'' he said. ``And I don't ask any questions.''

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/22/06

INDIANS NOTEBOOK

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Indians don't expect
repeat from rotation
Last season, the Indians' rotation missed only four starts, a demonstration of endurance and consistency that happens about as often as Halley's Comet makes an appearance.
Nobody in the Tribe hierarchy thinks that will happen this season, and for good reason.
``That is very rare at the big-league level,'' manager Eric Wedge said Tuesday. ``But those things don't just happen by chance. There is some luck involved, but preparation is important, too. And the pitchers have to perform.''
That means not only did the training and strength and conditioning staff do its job, but none of the five pitchers went into a prolonged slump to force Wedge and General Manager Mark Shapiro to dig into the inventory of starters at Triple-A Buffalo.
Jason Davis was the only realistic alternative to the five starters in Cleveland last year, and he made every start that was missed by the big-league rotation.
This year, Davis has company. Jeremy Sowers and Fausto Carmona, who have never seen a major-league mound, will join Jason Stanford as emergency starters.
During spring training, Davis will compete for the lone vacancy in the bullpen. If he fails to latch onto that spot, he might join the rotation at Triple-A, or he might go into the Buffalo bullpen.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST -- Tuesday was reporting day for position players, and only minor-league outfielder Franklin Gutierrez had not arrived in Winter Haven. He is due to show up today.
The newcomers will have physicals today with the first full-squad workout set for Thursday.
THE NEW REPS -- Scott Sauerbeck has been selected by his teammates as player representative to the Major League Players Association, and Jake Westbrook will be the club's alternate rep for the union.
A LOOK BACK -- Lou Merloni proved his value to the Tribe as a utility player in 2004, so why didn't he return in 2005?
He did, for a while. Merloni and the club had a deal worked out, when Shapiro noted in late December that Alex Cora had not been tendered a contract.
Shapiro wanted a left-handed batting reserve infielder and protection for novice Jhonny Peralta at shortstop. Consequently, the GM and Merloni amended his contract, inserting an escape clause if Cora signed with Tribe, which he did.
VALIDATION -- Baseball Prospectus has released the list of its top 50 prospects, including three Indians.
The top-rated Tribe player is Andy Marte, ranked seventh by the evaluation service that emphasizes sophisticated statistical analysis. Left-hander Jeremy Sowers is rated 17th and righty Fernando Cabrera, who already as secured a spot in the bullpen, is 43rd.
Baseball Prospectus' No. 1 prospect is outfielder Delmon Young of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
CHECK IT OUT -- The HBO series Real Sports will focus its March 7 show on Danny Graves' visit to his native country, Vietnam.
Graves left Vietnam as an infant, but he and his mother returned last month, the trip serving as a family reunion and as part of a program to introduce baseball to the country.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/22/06

Marte attempts to ignore added pressure, attention

Key acquisition in Crisp trade understands situation, believes in his ability

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Andy Marte wasn't in the Chain O' Lakes clubhouse five minutes before he established the 2006 spring record for media attention.
Not that this is a surprise. Marte became a topic of conversation in Northeast Ohio a few weeks ago, when he was traded to the Indians by the Boston Red Sox, along with reliever Guillermo Mota and catcher Kelly Shoppach, for outfielder Coco Crisp, pitcher David Riske and catcher Josh Bard.
The deal became a point of controversy with the fans because of Crisp's popularity and the incidental fact that the Tribe saved some cash, fueling the public's distrust of owner Larry Dolan.
When the trade occurred, on Jan. 27, Marte was home in the Dominican Republic. Since he doesn't hear Cleveland talk radio or subscribe to Ohio newspapers, there's no reason to think that he is aware of the strife created by the deal.
Because of the Internet and the fact that Marte has friends in the game, Indians manager Eric Wedge isn't so sure the 22-year-old third baseman doesn't know the score.
``I'm sure he's fairly aware of it,'' Wedge said Tuesday. ``At some point, I'll have an informal talk with him, when I get to know his personality better.''
Marte disdained the idea that he is under more pressure than any other rookie trying to kick-start his career.
``I think they know what I can do,'' he said. ``And I know what kind of player I am.''
Like many Dominican boys, Marte watched major-leaguers play on television. When he was about 10, he made up his mind who he wanted to emulate.
``I saw the Indians on TV and wanted to be Richie Sexson,'' said Marte, who admired Sexson's home-run swing. ``I got to meet him in Chicago, when I was in the Futures Game and he was in the All-Star Game.''
That does not mean Marte aspires to match Sexson's penchant for striking out. Nor does it indicate that Marte thinks that he was destined to play in the big leagues.
After he signed with the Atlanta Braves in 2001, shortly before his 17th birthday, he spent time in the Braves' Dominican academy.
``The first year I was there, I said to myself, `If I do bad, my first year, I'm going home.' Then I called my dad to tell him, and he told me, `Are you crazy?' ''
Marte's first year went well, and he never thought about quitting again.
Aaron Boone is the Tribe's incumbent at third base, and nobody expects Marte to ease him out of a job this season. Marte is expected to begin the year at Triple-A Buffalo but possibly make his Indians debut at some point before the schedule plays out.
Though, Marte said, ``I think I'm ready,'' he knows what the organization's plans are for him.
On the other hand, he is not resigned to going to Triple-A and approaching spring training with a non-competitive attitude.
``I'm not coming in here thinking right away that I'm going to Buffalo,'' Marte said.
Marte is considered by most professonial observers to be a can't-miss hitter, who eventually will make his mark by amassing home runs. That said, he also is known to have a hole in his swing, a weakness for flailing at pitches that miss the outside of the plate.
``Every now and again, he gets a little pull happy,'' is how Wedge describes it. ``But that's common with young players.''
Ask Marte what he is supposed to work on at Triple-A, and he says, ``I need to be better defensively, especially going to my backhand side, and I want to hit the ball to the opposite field.''
Unquestionably, Marte has home runs on his mind, which isn't a bad thing if he learns when to unleash the hammer and when to tame his swing.
``My first year in rookie ball, I only hit one home run,'' Marte said. ``But I started to work out in the offseason, and my second year was much better. I hit 21 home runs.''
Last year at Richmond, his first in Triple-A, Marte batted .275 with 20 homers and 74 RBI in 389 at-bats. He made his major-league debut in June and, in three different stints with the Braves, batted .140 (8-for-57) with no homers and four RBI.
``I didn't get nervous,'' Marte said. ``But it was a new experience.''
Wedge prefers to emphasize Marte's potential to drive in runs rather than as a home run hitter.
``I want to see him be a run producer for us,'' Wedge said.
That probably won't happen until at least 2007.
If it does, the fans will quickly forget their uneasiness about the deal.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

PlainDealer

2/22/06

INDIANS SPRING TRAINING
Peralta handles position pressure


Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter

Winter Haven, Fla.- Jhonny Peralta succeeding Omar Vizquel at shortstop for the Indians was like Doug DeCinces succeeding Brooks Robinson at third base for Baltimore or Joe Nolan succeeding Johnny Bench behind the plate for Cincinnati.

Talk about pressure.

"A lot of pressure," said Indians starting pitcher Jake Westbrook. "You're asking a young guy to take over for a nine-time Gold Glover."

Peralta, 23, struggled through the first four games last season, committing four errors - including one in the seventh inning of the opener at Chicago that allowed the lone run in the White Sox's 1-0 victory.

"I felt awful about that," Peralta said. "Jake [Westbrook] had pitched such a good game.

"There is no question I was nervous about replacing Omar."

Westbrook felt bad for the kid shortstop. "A lot of people thought that he automatically would be like Omar," Westbrook said. "The play he made that error on was not an easy play.

"Right after that, he fielded a ground ball and turned a double play. That showed me a lot."

Peralta survived the early errors to come up with a first full season no one in the Indians front office could have imagined. Playing 141 games, he set a club single-season record for home runs (24) by a shortstop and knocked in 78 runs - third-best among American League shortstops.

A .521 slugging percentage was third among AL shortstops.

"I'd have to give Jhonny a solid 'A' on what he did last season," Tribe manager Eric Wedge said. "Once he got comfortable and settled in, he just kept going.

"No one could have anticipated, or should have anticipated, what he did."
Peralta opened the season batting ninth, started hitting, and was moved up to sixth. One week after Travis Hafner was hit in the face with a pitch by Chicago's Mark Buerhle, Peralta was moved up to the No. 3 spot.

"He never missed a beat," Wedge said.

Batting third from July 23 on, Peralta hit .288 (72-of-250), with 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 63 starts.

Peralta said that Wedge made it easier to survive the four-errors-in-four games start. "[Wedge] told me just to forget about it," Peralta said. "He said that anyone can make errors.

"Don't worry about it, just go out and play."

The 24 home runs Peralta hit surprised everyone, including him. Peralta had never hit more than 15 in six previous years as a professional. "I didn't try to hit home runs," he said, "but as I have gotten older, I've gotten bigger [6-1, 195 pounds].

"And, it seems like the ball jumps more in the majors."

Hardcore Indians fans will remember Vizquel's final home game in Cleveland, a 6-2 loss to the Twins in September 2004 at Jacobs Field. Moments after the ninth inning began, Wedge sent Peralta out to replace Vizquel.

The 22,091 fans rose as one to give Vizquel a standing ovation. Two outs later, Peralta made an error on a ground ball hit by Jacque Jones.

"At the time," said Peralta, "I could not believe what I did."

He's come a long way.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4479

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/23/06

Mind-set different for Blake

Outfielder looks to have fun, return to 2004 form

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - It was all there in the numbers, apparent to Indians fans and the media.
In 147 games, a .171 batting average with runners in scoring position, that figure plunging to .085 with two out.
It was the statistic of the year for Casey Blake, who suffice to say, did not have a fun 2005.
Just one season earlier, Blake had become the darling of Northeast Ohio fans predisposed to rooting for the underdog. Most Tribe fans can relate to that, given the franchise's long history of struggle.
Nevertheless, it didn't take long for Blake's reputation to take a beating. After batting .271 with 28 home runs and 88 RBI in 2004, he was moved from third base to right field.
Maybe that's where the trouble started. Here was a career third baseman, who had spent all but a few weeks of the first seven years of his professional life in the minors, being asked to switch positions.
Yet, that in itself did not trigger Blake's fall from grace. He says it was a combination of on-field and off-field issues. He is willing to speak only to his problems between the lines.
``I don't want to sit here and make excuses,'' he said Wednesday, sitting at his locker at Chain O' Lakes Park. ``I have to take responsibility for my own failure.
``But I used up a lot of energy worrying about my performance in the outfield. When you play third, you're in the game. If you're not doing it with the bat, you can pick yourself up by making a play on defense. In the outfield, you just don't have as many chances.''
Blake's mind also would play tricks on him as he stood 300 feet from the plate, waiting for something to happen.
``I think what separates good players from the others is confidence,'' Blake said. ``I think I dwelled on (the bad) things too much. But once you get in the hole, you can't help but look at your average.
``You get down to .190, and you're stressing out. It does so much to you mentally. So I guess it came down to a lack of focus. I just wasn't thinking right.''
Blake doesn't take things lightly. It's not in his personality to dismiss a non-productive stretch at the plate. Some players can laugh off intermittent deficiencies, almost as if they didn't care. Not Blake.
``This is more about him getting his mind-set right, to the point where he has his confidence,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``It's a long season, and you don't have to do it all today.''
Blake spent the offseason trying to forget 2005. Even though he amassed 23 homers, he had only 58 RBI and batted .241 in 523 at-bats.
``I just tried to relax and not think about it,'' Blake said. ``I thought I actually finished pretty well. But it's tough to play catch-up. You dig yourself such a deep hole, it's hard to dig out and get the numbers.''
Even after mulling over the season, Blake doesn't have all the answers. He knows it's unproductive to beat himself up, and no matter how hard he thinks about it, he's not going to pinpoint the reasons for his crash and burn year.
``There was a lot of pressure on me for some reason,'' he said. ``Mentally, I was not as sharp, and for no reason.''
His poor showing with runners in scoring position underscored the importance of the proper mind-set. When Blake needed to narrow his focus the most, he was unable to maintain the proper concentration.
``Casey is a guy who sometimes tries to do too much and puts too much heat on himself,'' Wedge said.
In evaluating his performance with runners in scoring position, Blake said, ``I said over and over that I had to try not to do too much and that I had to have a plan when I went to the plate. But it seems like I had no plan.''
Blake is not that far removed from 2003, when he came to camp as a nondescript, 29-year-old utility player with virtually no history of success in the big leagues.
He surprised everyone by winning the third-base job and by hitting 17 home runs and amassing 67 RBI in his first full major-league season.
There's no reason to believe Blake can't reverse last year's failures, if only he learns to become master of his thoughts and emotions.
``I've come too far to let my mind get in the way,'' Blake said. ``I'm a pretty thoughtful person, and sometimes that works against me. Eric has alluded to that.
``This is a pretty short life. In the grand scheme of things, baseball is not that important, so I have to try and have fun with it.''

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/23/06

Wedge commits to strong beginning

Manager to take different spring-training approach

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - The pattern is clear. The season starts, and the Indians lose.
For the past three years, the Tribe has stumbled badly out of the gate. In 2005, the record was 12-18; the previous season 18-26; in 2003, it was 9-24.
Trying to play catch-up obviously isn't the preferred method of contending for a playoff berth. Consequently, manager Eric Wedge is bent on winning from the outset. But how?
``I'm confident that we'll get off to a better start,'' he said Wednesday. ``I think the problem has been all the firsts we've had to get through. But I look at the evaluation of this team and think there's good reason for us to get off to a better start.''
Three years ago, almost the entire roster was raw and untested. Even in 2004, most Tribe players were hardly veterans. But that doesn't explain everything.
The 2005 season began with C.C. Sabathia on the disabled list and Aaron Boone in the worst slump of his career. With the sudden loss of Juan Gonzalez to injury, talented-but-inexperienced Grady Sizemore was thrust into the everyday outfield.
Barring an injury, the team does seem to be in a better position to get off to a quick start, unless...
A Different spring
With only 2 ½ roster positions to be filled, Wedge will take a different approach this spring.
``We don't have too many (personnel) decisions to make,'' the manager said.
``I think we can get the numbers down a little earlier, which will give us a better chance to come together as a club quicker.''
That means playing the starters less, at least early in exhibition season.
``I want to make sure that we don't do too much with our regulars in games,'' Wedge said. ``I want to give the young guys a chance to get some at-bats early.''
The edge
Newcomer Kelly Shoppach was given the edge to win the backup catcher job after being traded from Boston last month.
But Wedge said Wednesday that Shoppach's inclusion on the roster isn't a done deal, and that Einar Diaz remains in the picture.
``This is a straight competition between them,'' the manager said, indicating that nobody is in front right now. ``Shoppach already has spent a couple of years in Triple-A, but we want to put our eyes on him.''
The only other roster openings: one reliever and one utility infielder.
The dream
Rookie third baseman Andy Marte is expected to start the season in Buffalo, but that will put him only a three-hour drive from the big leagues.
When that happens, Marte's father, Juan, will have realized a goal.
``It was always his dream to have a son play big-league baseball,'' Marte said.
Perfect attendance
Each of the 59 players scheduled to participate in camp has arrived. The last to reach Chain O' Lakes were Eduardo Perez and Franklin Gutierrez.
Elarton promoted
Everything is relative. Last year, Scott Elarton was effective (11-9, 4.61 ERA) as the Indians' No. 5 starter.
Now in Kansas City, Royals manager Buddy Bell already has limited his choices of Opening Day starters to Elarton and Mark Redman, who was acquired in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
That makes Elarton either first or second in the rotation's pecking order.
Elarton was the Opening Day starter once before -- when he pitched for the Houston Astros in 2001.
Rah-rah guy
Third baseman Aaron Boone was at the scene for USC's three biggest football games of the season -- against Notre Dame, archrival UCLA and Texas for the national championship.
``I was on the sidelines for Notre Dame,'' said Boone, who attended Southern Cal. ``I have to say the Notre Dame and Texas games were two of the top 20 games in college history.''
Boone lost his sideline privileges for the Rose Bowl game, when the BCS ordered that participating teams limit their VIP list to five people. The school picked five former football stars to use the passes.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

PlainDealer

2/23/06

INDIANS INSIDER
Backup would be a step up


Thursday, February 23, 2006

Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter

Winter Haven, Fla.- Every baseball player remembers his first start in the big leagues.

"Yankee Stadium, Mike Mussina pitching for New York, David Wells for the Red Sox," said Tribe catcher Kelly Shoppach.

"I had no business being there."

He was right. In the June 29, 2005 game before 55,235 fans in the Bronx, Shoppach struck out once and grounded out three times.

The Indians acquired Shoppach, 25, from the Red Sox in a six-player deal that included Coco Crisp in January. Last year's baptism behind him, he's emerged as a prime candidate for the Indians' backup catcher's spot.

Shoppach, a second-round pick by the Red Sox in June 2001 draft, was 0-for-15 in two stints with Boston last season. In 102 games at Class AAA Pawtucket, he hit .253 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI.

"The first time I came up last season, I really pressed," he said. "I was more relaxed the second time."

Shoppach said this is the first training camp in which he's not sure where he is going to start the season. "In the past," he said, "I knew I'd be going to some minor-league team.

"This is the first time I'm actually competing for a spot on the major-league club."

Shoppach's bat is not all that's impressed the Indians. He threw out 44 percent (34-of-78) of International League baserunners last season. "He did a great job of controlling the running game," manager Eric Wedge said.

"The first thing I want him to do here is get comfortable with his new surroundings, to get grounded."

The Indians are trying to find a catcher who's productive enough to give Victor Martinez some time off behind the plate. Shoppach will get the chance to be that guy.

Little concerns

Wedge said he is not overly concerned with closer Bob Wickman allowing 11 stolen bases in 11 attempts last season.

"[Wickman] does his thing by choice," Wedge said. "He's aware of what's going on. When it's time to turn his attention to what he should be [doing], he does."

Little concerns II:

Wedge said an incident involving Jason Michaels last July outside a Philadelphia nightclub was thoroughly investigated by the Indians before the trade.

Michaels, charged with assaulting a Philadelphia police officer, must do 100 hours of community service. "We viewed it as something blown out of proportion," Wedge said. "It's something in the past, and we've moved on."

Michael's take? "I'd like to present my side," he said, "but my attorney has advised me not to."

Finally:

The entire 40-man roster, plus 19 non-roster invitees, reported to camp on Wednesday. Position players took physicals. . . . A total of 41 minor-league players - including Jason Cooper, Pat Osborn and John Drennan - reported to the minor-league complex. . . . Michaels was browsing through a flyer advertising golf shoes in the clubhouse on Wednesday. "I'm a lousy golfer," he said, "but I want to look good."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4479

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/24/06

On the Indians: Lee is worth shouting about

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Cliff Lee is not a hot topic of conversation.
One reason: He doesn't do much talking. Lee can be described as the poster boy for a low-key approach.
Typically, after he has limited an opposing lineup to two or three runs in seven innings, the Indians lefty will explain his success simply and with a certain fuzziness.
``I just kind of throw the ball up there,'' Lee will say. ``After that, I have no control of anything that happens.''
The answer usually is accompanied by a shrug.
There is another reason Lee generates so little buzz. Since reaching the big leagues on June 29, 2003, he has been almost monotonously consistent. The Tribe's deep thinkers couldn't be more pleased.
In 2 ½ seasons, Lee has compiled a 35-17 record and 4.38 ERA. In his first full season, Lee won 14 games. In 2005, he and Jon Garland tied for second among American League pitchers with 18 wins, three behind the leader, Bartolo Colon.
Lee's victory total exceeded more celebrated AL starters Randy Johnson (17), Mark Buehrle (16) and Johan Santana (16).
Lee explains his persistent winning as a collective effort.
``I think I've been lucky in getting run support,'' he said Thursday after a workout at Chain O' Lakes Park. ``Look at Kevin Millwood. He had the best earned-run average in the league and had a losing record.''
There's more to it than circumstance. From Lee's first big-league start, he has pitched like a veteran. Both General Manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge explain it the same way.
``Cliff was never intimidated by this environment, ever,'' Shapiro said. ``He's a no-nonsense, competitive guy. Most players don't come in with his confidence.''
Lee appears to be so laid back that it's difficult to see his combative side unless you watch him pitch.
``It's not something he wears on his sleeve,'' Wedge said. ``But you feel it when you're around him.''
Yet it takes more than desire and a bulldog nature to win. The physical talent has to be there.
``Besides his confidence and mental toughness, he can pitch with his fastball,'' Shapiro said. ``He can attack guys with his fastball. He challenges hitters.''
Like most left-handers -- C.C. Sabathia being an exception -- Lee does not have overpowering velocity. He does have the ability to make batters swing and miss with his fastball.
``Cliff has great baseball aptitude,'' Wedge said. ``You tell him something and he's able to fix whatever's wrong and be better the next time.''
Lee has come so far so quickly, it's difficult to pinpoint his deficiencies, and every pitcher has them.
``There's always room for improvement,'' he said. ``I could cut down on my walks and control the running game better.''
Ask Lee how he has evolved as a pitcher, and he has to think long and hard. In his mind, he doesn't operate much differently on the mound than he ever did.
``In college, I figured out that I had a pretty good curveball,'' he said. ``And in my first year of pro ball, I learned I could get those guys out with it, too. Then a few years later, I developed a cutter.''
Cut fastballs are similar in behavior to sliders. They don't break as sharply, but they get to the plate quicker, and often hitters don't realize the pitch isn't a conventional fastball until it's too late.
After a little experimentation, Lee decided he was a more efficient pitcher using the cutter rather than a slider.
Lee has had only one slump. It happened in the second half of 2004, when he lot six consecutive decisions. His problem was relatively simple: He was not accustomed to a marathon big-league season and fatigue was beginning to set in.
Lee cut down the number of pitches he threw between starts, and by September, he was back on track.
``It seemed like I couldn't get to the fourth inning,'' Lee said. ``But when I think back now, maybe it was a good thing. When things are going too good, you can lose your work ethic. If you don't have any bumps in the road, you start thinking you're too good.''
When a young player has had two solid seasons in a row, it has been Shapiro's pattern to negotiate a multi-year deal. That hasn't happened yet with Lee.
``Right now, the only guy we're actively talking to is Jhonny Peralta,'' Shapiro said. ``But we might explore a long-term contract with two or three other players.''
Lee said Shapiro has not spoken to him about such a deal, but obviously he'd be interested.
``I'm not going to sign a contract just to sign,'' Lee said. ``But if it's fair to both sides, I'd do it. I'd love to play here forever.''
If Lee continues to win, the ball will be in the Indians' court.
Made it
Eduardo Perez has been chosen for Puerto Rico's 30-man final roster in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
``Whenever you can represent your flag, it's an honor,'' he said. ``This is something players in the past couldn't do. It would be nice if they could have had this (tournament) a long time ago.''
Fernando Cabrera also has been picked to play for Puerto Rico, whose first- and second-round game will be played in San Juan.
On the dotted line
Five more players have agreed to one-year contracts: Rafael Betancourt, Kelly Shoppach, Andrew Brown, Jake Dittler and Brian Slocum.
Seventeen players on the 40-man roster remain unsigned.
It's official
The first full-squad workout was Thursday. All 58 players participated, though minor-leaguer Michael Aubrey (back injury) will be eased into the full program.
Fresh troops
The early camp for the Tribe's best minor leaguers began on Thursday. This year's class numbers 41.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/24/06

Will you be able to watch the Tribe?

Friday, February 24, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]BY Benjamin Duer REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER[/FONT]




They have a name. They have a broadcast team. But who will watch them play?
Fastball Sports Production, the Cleveland Indians’ new cable television network, announced Thursday the channel will be known as SportsTime Ohio.
Longtime Indians broadcasters Mike Hegan, Rick Manning and John Sanders will call games. WKYC-TV Sports Director Jim Donovan will host features.
The channel will show 130 regular- season games and eight spring-training games. Twenty additional games will be seen on WKYC.
Jim Liberatore, head of Fastball Sports, said all Indians’ home games will be available in high definition and surround sound.
“We are finalizing the details on what promises to be one of the best baseball programming concepts that Indians fans have ever seen,” he said in a release.
Too bad not every fan will experience it — at least not now.
As of now, SportsTime Ohio will only reach 900,000 subscribers of Time Warner Cable in Ohio. Fastball Sports is in talks with other cable and satellite systems, including Massillon Cable TV.
There are 32,000 Massillon Cable subscribers in western Stark County.
“We’re still talking,” Liberatore said Wednesday. “It hasn’t come to any stalemate. I do believe something can be done.”
Larry Rashid, a bartender at the Alibi Sports Lounge in downtown Massillon, hopes Massillon Cable can reach a deal to air the games. If not, he said, he will be disappointed.
“I’m a big fan. I like to watch them,” he said.
The Indians’ contract with Fox Sports expired at the end of last season. The club created its own cable channel, SportsTime Ohio, to boost revenues.
Massillon Cable President Bob Gessner has objected to the asking price to air Indians’ games because the channel will initially offer few programs.
Despite limited programs, Gessner said the new network wants to double fees. At least Fox Sports had a full slate of shows, he contended.
“The Indians are only a one-trick pony,” Gessner said. Fastball Sports has plans to build the Indians’ channel into a full-time production.
At the price asked, he believes the Indians’ channel should be offered as a premium network, where fans would pay extra on their cable bill to subscribe.
The Indians disagree.
Gessner said a premium channel keeps rates down for all of his subscribers. A cable rate increase could be likely if he accepts Fastball Sports’ proposal.
Massillon resident Rick Boerner said he would pay the extra money to watch the Indians play.
But, Gessner said, “Our goal is to ask the Indians to be fair and find a way to carry the games so the fans can watch them but all customers don’t have to experience large rate increases.”
Liberatore sympathized but added a caveat.
“The guy’s doing his job. He’s trying to keep the rates down and he should. I would hope my cable guy would fight for me,” he said. “But with a product like the Indians, this isn’t really the place to take it off your system to keep (rates down) right now.”
Liberatore equated the asking price, which neither side will release, to the cost of two people going to see one movie in a theater.
“At this point, Time Warner is the only company that has agreed to this,” Gessner said. “I think that accounts for fewer than half of cable and satellite customers. Everybody else has objected.” The Indians’ regular season starts April 2. Reach Repository writer Benjamin Duer at (330) 580-8567 or e-mail: [email protected]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

PlainDealer

2/24/06

INDIANS SPRING TRAINING INSIDER
Tribe lobbying for more home openers


Friday, February 24, 2006

Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter

Winter Haven, Fla.

-- Enough is enough. General Manager Mark Shapiro says the Indians will ask Major League Baseball to break a string of five straight opening days on the road.

The Tribe, which plays its season opener on April 2 at Chicago, has opened away from Jacobs Field nine times in the last 10 seasons, 10 times in 12.

Shapiro said that manager Eric Wedge requested an opener in Cleveland.

"Every year," Shapiro said, "Major League Baseball sends out a questionnaire to the teams asking what things are important to them.

"We will ask to open at home next season."

Cold weather is the primary reason for opening away from Cleveland, but this is the second straight opener in Chicago -- which is not known for warm breezes off Lake Michigan in April.

The last Indians home opener was in April, 2001. The Indians dropped a 7-4 decision to the White Sox, despite two home runs by Juan Gonzalez and one by Russell Branyan. Bartolo Colon took the loss, giving up seven runs in seven innings in front of 42,606 at Jacobs Field.

Talking contract:

Shapiro said the Indians have talked to Jhonny Peralta's agent, Bill Rego, about signing a multi-year contract. Peralta recently agreed to a one-year deal, which can be torn up and redone at any time.

"We have a couple of others we'd like to look at doing something like this," said Shapiro, who would not identify them.

The most logical candidates: pitcher Cliff Lee and centerfielder Grady Sizemore.

Pleased by his poise:

Shapiro is impressed with the demeanor of Lee, who is 32-13 in his first full two seasons. "He's laid back," Shapiro said, "but as soon as he takes the mound, he's an aggressive competitor.

"He's a little brazen, someone who's not intimidated by his environment."

Sign here please:

Five more players -- pitchers Rafael Betancourt ($000)-RD%>, Andrew Brown (oo)-RD%>, Jake Dittler (00)-RD%>, Brian Slocum (00)-RD%> and catcher Kelly Shoppach (00)-RD%> -- ineligible for arbitration were signed to major-league one-year contracts. Terms were not immediately available.
The signings drop the number of unsigned on the 40-man roster to 17. The deadline for renewal is March 11.

Same old:

For the second straight season, the Indians will face White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle when the two teams open in Chicago. C.C. Sabathia is the Tribe starter.

Buehrle pitched a two-hitter over eight innings in the White Sox's 1-0 victory in the season opener last April. In two games against the Tribe, Buerhle was 2-0, with a 2.46 ERA.

He's in:

First baseman Eduardo Perez has accepted an invitation to play for Puerto Rico in next month's World Baseball Classic. He will leave for training at Port St. Lucie, Fla., after the Indians' first exhibition game on March 2.When you can go and represent the flag of your country," Perez said, "it is a great opportunity.

"It's an honor to be a part of it."

Finally:

Wedge and his wife, Kate, are expecting their first child -- a girl -- in April.

. . . Wedge said that oft-injured minor-league prospect Michael Aubrey, being treated for a disc problem in the lower back, will be kept out of workouts for the next two weeks. . . . Gonzalez, whose return to the Tribe last season flamed out with one at-bat due to hamstring injuries, told a Puerto Rican newspaper that three teams -- the Cubs, White Sox and Red Sox -- have expressed an interest in bringing him to camp.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4479