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Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

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ABJ

Byrd says best yet to come Tribe pitcher confident that 2008 season will be another productive one
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Monday, Mar 10, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: He is 37 years old; the velocity of his fastball long ago topped out at 88 mph, and his doubters are legion.
Yet last year Paul Byrd lived through one of the two or three most productive seasons of his career, posting a 15-8 record, 4.59 ERA and beating the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the playoffs. Come to think of it, maybe 2007 was Byrd's best.
But ask him if he can repeat or exceed those achievements this year and he says, ''Absolutely.''
What makes him think so?


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CPD

Pitcher Scott Elarton trying to earn a spot on Cleveland Indians


Monday, March 10, 2008
BASEBALL NEWSWATCH
INDIANS INSIDER
Situation is odd for Elarton
@StoryAd
Winter Haven, Fla.- Pitcher Scott Elarton hasn't been in this position for a while. For much of his career, spring training has simply been a matter of making his scheduled starts to get ready for the season. Job security was not an issue.
Things have changed.
Elarton doesn't have a guaranteed spot on the Indians, and he's not a starter. He's trying to make the Tribe as a reliever in a talented bullpen.
He allowed one run, his first of the spring, in two innings Sunday as the Indians beat Washington, 5-2, in a split-squad game at Chain of Lakes Park.




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CPD

With few concerns, Cleveland Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook settles in


Monday, March 10, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Winter Haven, Fla.- It's easy to lose track of players and trends in spring-training games. Players invade and bolt the lineup in groups three, four and five strong. It's not uncommon, at least in the early part of the exhibition schedule, for each team to use seven and eight pitchers in one game.
Everybody needs work, and the coaching staff and general manager want to see as many bodies as possible.
In spite of Indians manager Eric Wedge's lineup shuffling in the first 12 Grapefruit League games, one thing can be detected through the mass of churning bodies - the Indians' starting rotation is doing a little bit more than getting its work in.
@StoryAd
Starting with Paul Byrd's outing against Atlanta on Wednesday, the Tribe's top four starters have not allowed a run through their most recent turn in the rotation. Byrd threw three scoreless innings Wednesday; C.C. Sabathia threw three scoreless innings - retiring nine straight - Thursday against Houston; Saturday against Philadelphia, Fausto Carmona threw three more scoreless innings.




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Canton

Tribe gets to see Aubrey's talent, but can he stay healthy?
Monday, March 10, 2008
BY Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. Michael Aubrey tries not to let himself get too happy.

Most players would be overjoyed to have the spring training Aubrey has experienced so far. The 25-year-old first baseman is batting .500 (5-for-10) with two doubles and has driven in three runs. He has yet to strike out. He has been playing fine defense.

Yet, with Aubrey, there is always the shadow of injury lurking around the corner. Injuries are what has kept him out of the big leagues since being drafted in the first round in 2003. Injuries are what Aubrey hopes will not be the enduring legacy of his baseball career when it ends.

"What I've really learned is to stay even-keel," Aubrey said Sunday. "That is what has gotten me through hard times in the past. You can get too high on yourself when you're doing well and then get let down."

But, what if there is no letdown? What if Aubrey stays healthy all summer, terrorizes minor-league pitchers and gets his career back on the fast track?


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Canton

Westbrook appears to be re-armed
Monday, March 10, 2008
BY Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. The most pressing concern of Indians spring training so far, Jake Westbrook's right arm, appears to be a concern no longer.

Westbrook pitched three shutout innings Sunday during a 5-2 win over a Washington split squad at Chain of Lakes Park. Westbrook allowed one hit, walked a batter and struck out five ? an unusually high number for the veteran sinkerballer.

"Hey, how about that?" Westbrook responded when asked about the strikeouts. "Seriously, I'll take a ground ball early in the count over a strikeout any day. It keeps my pitch count down. I'm never going to be a strikeout guy."

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Dispatch

WORD FROM INDIANS CAMP

Monday, March 10, 2008 2:49 AM





? Yesterday's games: Beat Washington 5-2 at home and lost to Washington 9-0 on the road. Jake Westbrook struck out five and allowed only one hit in three scoreless innings in the win. Jeremy Sowers allowed six runs in two innings in the loss.



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Well, the Indians just sent Adam Miller back to Buffalo. I have no idea why they did not package him with Michaels or DD and anyone else to give some type of quality player. We probably will never see Adam Miller pitch for the Cleveland Indians. They could have even thrown Sowers in for good measure if anybody would take those guys. That is probably the bigger question.
 
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ABJ

Marte's status all but assured No official word yet, but with no options left, he is likely to make Indians
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Don't tell anyone ? Andy Marte, in particular ? but Marte has locked up a spot on the Indians' roster.
This news has not been announced by General Manager Mark Shapiro or manager Eric Wedge, but all the signs are there. Plus, it makes sense.
Marte is out of options, and the Tribe does not want to lose him on waivers, which might happen if the club decided to outright him to Triple-A. Moreover, somebody has to make the team as a second utility infielder (though that might be debatable), so why not Marte?


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ABJ

5 prospects sent back to the minors Miller, Santos, Aubrey, Lewis, Lofgren depart. Byrd gives up five runs, but says he feels great
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: The educational process for five Indians will continue at the minor-league complex after they were trimmed from big-league camp Monday.
Right-hander Adam Miller and lefty Reid Santos were assigned to Buffalo; first baseman Michael Aubrey and left-hander Scott Lewis were sent to Akron; and lefty Chuck Lofgren was assigned to the minor-league camp.
None of the five had a ghost of a chance of making the big-league roster, but all of them are regarded as among the Tribe's best prospects ? Miller in particular.
His spring has been marred by a blister that developed on the middle finger of his throwing hand two weeks ago. He also was recovering from a sprained tendon in the same finger that he suffered last fall. He has returned to throwing, however, working in two bullpens the past few days.
''Camp was disappointing for him, because he didn't get a chance to go out there,'' manager Eric Wedge said of Miller's inability to face hitters. ''But there was nothing anyone could do about it with that blister.''



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CPD

Cleveland Indians' Josh Barfield wants another chance at second base

Tribe's Barfield shows improvement, but Buffalo stint probably awaits
Tuesday, March 11, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
St. Petersburg, Fla.- In San Diego, they're talking about Kevin Kouzmanoff being the Padres' No. 3 hitter. In Cleveland, there's a chance Josh Barfield, the man the Indians traded for Kouzmanoff, will start the year in the minors.
Trades are always a loaded mousetrap, especially in baseball, where the statistical comparisons never stop. More than one general manager has caught a finger or a toe.
Barfield lost his job to rookie Asdrubal Cabrera last August. For the next 2? months, he rode the bench as the Indians went all the way to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
@StoryAd
Having Cabrera start the season at Class AA Akron and end it playing second at Fenway Park with a trip to the World Series at stake says a lot about the Indians' player development program. When General Manager Mark Shapiro sent Kouzmanoff to the Padres for Barfield, it's safe to say he probably had a different result in mind.




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CPD

Cleveland Indians DH Travis Hafner pleased by spring training effort


Tuesday, March 11, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
St. Petersburg, Fla.- Travis Hafner is starting to swing the bat like Travis Hafner again.
He doubled and singled and drove in two runs Monday in the Indians' 12-10 victory over Tampa Bay. In his last three games he's 6-for-8 with six RBI.
"I'm looking for good pitches to hit and driving through the ball," Hafner said. "I think we have a little better game plan this year."
@StoryAd
It's folly to read too deeply into spring training numbers, but Hafner's numbers last year in the Grapefruit League are worthy of a look. He hit .208 (11-for-53) with three doubles, no homers and five RBI.
Hafner followed that with his least productive season as an Indian.
This spring he's hitting .400 (6-for-15) and already has more doubles (four) and RBI (six) than he did all last spring.
"I feel good about where I am," said Hafner, "and taking it into the year."




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Canton

Tribe trims five from roster
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
BY Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. A pair of former first-round draft picks were among five players sent to the minor leagues Monday, Cleveland's first roster cuts of spring training.

Right-hander Adam Miller, the No. 1 pitching prospect in the organization, was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Miller has not pitched in a game this spring due to a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Michael Aubrey, another first-round pick, was optioned to Double-A Akron. He was 5-for-10 this spring, but the injury-plagued first baseman experienced a bit of lower back soreness last week.

"It's getting to that time of camp where there are fewer innings to be had, and guys need to get their program moving forward," Manager Eric Wedge said.

Left-hander Reid Santos also was optioned to Buffalo and left-hander Scott Lewis to Akron. Another left-hander, Chuck Lofgren, was reassigned to minor-league camp and will be given his team assignment there.

Miller had thrown a bullpen session Sunday but will need to pitch to hitters in live batting practice before beginning to take regular turns in games.

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Canton

Tribe makes first roster cuts
UPDATE: 1:25 PM, Monday, March 10, 2008
By Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. A pair of former first-round draft picks were among five players sent to the minor leagues Monday, Cleveland's first roster cuts of spring training.

Right-hander Adam Miller, the No. 1 pitching prospect in the organization, was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Miller has not pitched in a game this spring due to a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Michael Aubrey, another first-round pick, was optioned to Double-A Akron. He was 5-for-10 this spring, but the injury-plagued first baseman had experienced a bit of lower back soreness last week.

"It's getting to that time of camp where there are fewer innings to be had and guys need to get their program moving forward," Manager Eric Wedge said.

Left-hander Reid Santos was also optioned to Buffalo, left-hander Scott Lewis to Akron. Another left-hander, Chuck Lofgren, was reassigned to minor-league camp and will be given his team assignment there.

Miller had thrown a bullpen session Sunday, but will need to pitch to hitters in live batting practice before beginning to take regular turns in games.


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Canton

Laffey will get his chance
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
BY Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. Aaron Laffey would like to pretend this spring is just like any other.

But, it isn't.

Laffey knows this. He's trying not to let it affect him. The fact remains, however, he is a 22-year-old pitcher who, for the first time, has a chance to win a spot in Cleveland's starting rotation during spring training.

"It feels a little different ? well, a lot different compared to last year when I knew I was going to start out at Akron," Laffey said. "This has a chance to be a whole different scenario. But it's different in a good way, to have the opportunity to compete for a big-league job."

When spring training began, three left-handers were thrown into the competition for the Indians' No. 5 starter's role ? Laffey, Jeremy Sowers and Cliff Lee. None has thrown with distinction so far this spring. In fact, the three have combined for a 16.76 ERA so far (92⁄3 innings, 18 earned runs).

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Dispatch

Word from Indians camp

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 3:05 AM




? Yesterday's game: Beat Tampa Bay 12-10. Travis Hafner went 2 for 2 with a walk, making him 6 for 7 with three doubles since starting the spring 0 for 8. Jason Michaels hit two doubles, one day after hitting his first home run of the spring.
? Today's game: vs. Detroit, 1:05 p.m., Winter Haven. Cliff Lee will start. C.C. Sabathia will pitch in a minor-league game.



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