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Indians can stay in limbo only so long By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008
CLEVELAND: In the Roman Catholic tradition, limbo is not the easiest place to reside.
It's neither heaven, nor . . . well . . . the other place.
It just kind of is ? or at least was until the management team decided to shut down limbo and move all those folks (including the billions of Chinese who were unaware) up to heaven.
That would have been a good moving contract to have, but in that particular region no moving vans were needed. It just happened.
The limbo the Indians find themselves in is not quite so easy to leave.
Neither good enough to contend, nor bad enough to wipe the slate clean, the Indians are in baseball's limbo.
And General Manager Mark Shapiro made that evident with every statement he made in discussing the state of his team prior to Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
Cont...
Twins put a hurt on the Indians Martinez departs early with sore right elbow. Byrd has poor outing
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008
CLEVELAND: Hey, but the White Sox lost.
That was the only good news for the Indians on Wednesday. Besides losing 8-5 to the Minnesota Twins, Victor Martinez left the game with inflammation of the right elbow after running out a ground ball in the first inning.
How did Martinez hurt his elbow running to first? He didn't, of course. Most everyone thought he aggravated his strained hamstring when he limped off the field.
Then again, this is not the easiest team to figure out. Hamstring injury, elbow injury. Maybe it can only be explained this way: The elbow bone is connected to the shoulder bone that's connected to the rib bone that's connected to the pelvis bone that's connected to the hamstring bone. Something like that.
Cont...
GM's job is a balancing act Shapiro must weigh instinct with reality and hope for the best
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008
CLEVELAND: Can the Indians make you crazy?
Just listen to Mark Shapiro, who, as the Tribe's general manager, lives with the team's problems 24/7.
''There is a moment before every game starts when I think we're going to take off and go on a roll,'' he said Wednesday. ''Other times I see all the things that would make it very difficult to do that.''
Balancing one's instincts with reality is one of the more difficult things a GM must do.
Theoretically, the Indians have time to turn their season around. Moreover, there is doubt that the Chicago White Sox can maintain their current pace as Central Division front-runners. But as Shapiro said: ''I think we have to play consistently better baseball. I don't think anyone is going to run away with it. But the first thing we have to do is get back in it.''
Cont...
Barfield out of lineupwith strained fing... Published on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008
Barfield out of lineup
with strained finger
CLEVELAND: Manager Eric Wedge kept Josh Barfield out of the lineup because of a strained left middle finger, suffered Tuesday night on a checked swing.
''We'll see how he feels tomorrow,'' Wedge said. ''Josh is available to pinch hit and play defense.''
Wedge will decide whether Barfield can play after he takes batting practice today.
''If he can't play tomorrow, it probably will be a DL situation,'' the manager said.
That does not mean Asdrubal Cabrera would be called up from Buffalo, three days after being optioned.
''We have options,'' Wedge said.
Cont...
Cleveland Indians' Victor Martinez hurts elbow in loss to Minnesota Twins
Thursday, June 12, 2008 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Unlike Joe Borowski's strained right triceps, Jake West brook's strained left intercostal muscle and right elbow and Travis Hafner's sore right shoulder, it was common knowledge Victor Martinez's left hamstring was injured. The Indians couldn't hide it because it happened in front of more than 40,000 fans in the season opener March 31.
Yet the injury that drove Martinez out of Wednesday' 8-5 loss to the Twins had nothing to do with his hamstring. This had to do with an inflamed right elbow, an injury manager Eric Wedge said has been bothering the All-Star catcher all season. Yet this is the first time any member of the Indians has mentioned it in public.
Martinez, who will undergo an MRI today, aggravated the elbow during a swing in the first inning. He grounded out to shortstop and was replaced by Kelly Shoppach.
Cont..
Cleveland Indians' bullpen needs immediate help or plans for next season can begin soon, writes Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Can the Indians get back in contention? That was the question before Wednesday's game as General Manager Mark Shapiro faced the media.
Not with this bullpen.
Yes, Eric Wedge insisted there was relief in sight, that Rafael Betancourt was "throwing downhill," and the manager adding that Masa Kobayashi and Raffy Perez have been "consistent." He also has liked Joe Borowski of late.
Cont...
Cleveland Indians' GM Mark Shapiro discusses potential roster moves the team may make
Thursday, June 12, 2008
It did not take General Manager Mark Shapiro long to see the dark side of the Indians' 2008 season.
He says the Indians have been analyzing potential deals to add or trade players since the middle of April. The big fish in this preparation is C.C. Sabathia, a free agent at the end of the season.
"What you do is prepare both ways," said Shapiro before Wednesday's game against the Twins. "You prepare to add players. You prepare for the potential of trading as well."
Cont...
mstevmac;1182222; said:Well, Joe Blow is back to his old self, blowing games/making them out of reach hahaha
Piney;1182450; said:Hasn't Wedge realized that when you bring Jo Blo into a non-save situation there is a 99.9999999% chance he gives up runs?
He only has a one-year contract and I cannot see them renewing it after this year unless they are idiots. I have no idea why they're not playing Marte more to see if he has anything to offer.3B - Blake
As much as I like JP I think is better days are behind him. Only it's solo home runs and his range is somewhat limited not to mention his penchant for chasing a curved wall 3' off the plate.SS - Peralta
He really hasn't done anything in over a year but we are stuck with him because of his big contract. Maybe he will make a strong comeback after his elbow heals so I will wait and see about him.DH - HEALTHY PRONK
I think that should tell you about Kenny right there if he is still available.just remembered Kenny Lofton is still available
I never even these two guys existed in the Cleveland organization. They might just as well shut it down for the rest of the season.The Cleveland Indians today placed catcher Victor Martinez on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation and second baseman Josh Barfield on the 15-day DL with a left long finger sprain.
Catcher Yamid Haad and infielder Jorge Velandia were recalled from Class AAA Buffalo to take their roster spots.
Haad has spent the entire season at Buffalo after attending spring training with the Indians. He has hit .159 (10-for-63) with three doubles and three RBI in 25 games for the Bisons this year. He joined the Indians organization last May and hit .301 (34-113) in 35 games for the Bisons in 2007. He will wear No. 59.
Velandia, 33, was signed by the Indians as a minor league free agent on May 26 and has appeared in 16 games for the Bisons (.235, 16-68, 2B, 2 RBI). He spent the first part of 2008 at AAA Syracuse (Toronto affiliate), where he hit .287 (27-for-94) with three homers and 12 RBI in 28 games. In his Major League career, Velandia has hit .182 (43-for-236) with two homers and 23 RBI in 166 Major League games with San Diego, Oakland, the New York Mets, Tampa Bay and Toronto. He will wear No. 11.
LitlBuck;1182683; said:Cleveland.com
I never even these two guys existed in the Cleveland organization. They might just as well shut it down for the rest of the season.