Indians Tidbits (2009 season)

[Piney]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMac

Apparently, not only has Garko succeeded in the OF, but he's got some speed now. He freaking tripled today in a 4-3 win over the A's. Laffey had a good outing going 4 innings without a run.

Garko tripled??? That had to be like those Little League 'homeruns' where the outfielder misplayed the ball... right?

[BuckeyeMac]

Jerry Crasnick: Injury-filled '08 pushes Travis Hafner to return strong - ESPN

Hafner pushes to return to his old form
Slugger looking to rediscover his power stroke after injury-riddled '08 season

By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Modern statistical analysis might pooh-pooh the value of the run batted in, but you wouldn't know it from Travis Hafner's wardrobe.


About 90 minutes before stepping into the box as Cleveland's designated hitter against Colorado, Hafner returns to the clubhouse from batting practice and peels off his uniform jersey to reveal a T-shirt with the words "Bootleg Baseball" on the front and "Money Lies in RBIs" across the back.


The shirt was a gift from a clubbie friend a few years ago, and Hafner instantly warmed to the rhyme, the message and the institutional gray.
"It's a good color," Hafner says. "It shows the sweat, so it makes it look like you're working harder."

cont...


A good read on Pronk.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMac

Apparently, not only has Garko succeeded in the OF, but he's got some speed now. He freaking tripled today in a 4-3 win over the A's. Laffey had a good outing going 4 innings without a run.

it is he's still alive do they now offer oxygen at third base.

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Left-hander Scott Lewis elbows his way into race for fifth spot in Cleveland Indians starting rotation
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Sunday March 15, 2009, 7:29 PM

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The competition for the fifth spot in the Indians starting rotation drew tighter Sunday when left-hander Scott Lewis pitched four strong innings in a 6-3 loss to Milwaukee at Goodyear Ballpark.

Lewis, in his first Cactus League start, allowed one run on three hits. He struck out two and didn't walk a batter.

"What we've seen from Scott this spring is that he's picked up where he left off last

season," said manager Eric Wedge.

Continued

Cleveland Indians' pitcher Carl Pavano has healthy optimism
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Sunday March 15, 2009, 9:29 PM

Goodyear, Ariz. -- It's a reflex response whenever Carl Pavano is asked about his health.

Sometimes he does it in his mind. Sometimes he acts it out.

It usually comes right after statements like the following:
"Now that my health is here, I'm expecting results."

"I'd say the last two and half to three weeks, I've been feeling good."

"I hate to say this is the best I've felt in five years . . . I'm just looking forward to building on how I feel right now."

Pavano said all that Sunday morning before throwing three innings in an intrasquad game at the Indians player development complex.

Only once did he lean over from his chair and say "knock on wood," while rapping his knuckles on the wooden frame of his locker.

Continued

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Indians Insider: Hafner's lacking hits, but coaches don't lack optimism in DH
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Monday March 16, 2009, 10:51 PM

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Travis Hafner, on March 10, hit two hard singles in his first two at-bats in a game against the Angels. He hasn't hit a ball that sharply since as he continues his comeback from right shoulder surgery.

The opposition isn't making it easy on Pronk. Seattle used the infield shift against Hafner in Monday's 4-1 victory. He grounded out to deep second in the first inning and flied out to semi-deep center field in the fourth. It's the first time Hafner has driven a ball during a game to the deep part of the outfield.

Hafner walked in the sixth and hit into a double play in the ninth.
"He's still working his way back," said manager Eric Wedge. "He had four at-bats today, he'll get four at-bats against Texas [Tuesday].

"We've stretched him out. Now we'll start playing him on consecutive days. It's going to take some time for his timing to come back. The only way to do that is give him the repetition he needs."

Continued

Pedro rumor: If the Indians had the money, they'd go after Pedro Martinez. There are some in the organization who still think he can pitch.

They made Martinez an offer before acquiring Mark DeRosa in a deal with the Cubs. The Indians assumed the last year of DeRosa's contract which is worth $5.5 million. That topped out their payroll.

Martinez is still unsigned and just finished pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Super utility man: Chris Gimenez, who gave the Indians their 4-1 victory Monday with a three-run homer in the ninth, has caught, played first base and the outfield this spring.

The Indians drafted him as an outfielder and moved him to third base in his first year of pro ball.

"I like it," said Gimenez, when asked about playing several positions. "There's an excitement to it. It's a guessing game. Like 'where's Gimenez going to play today?'"

Continued

[LitlBuck]

I don't think I will ever see him pitch in a major-league game which is a shame because of all the talent is supposed to have.

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians pitcher Adam Miller faces another setback with injured finger
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Goodyear, Ariz.- Right-hander Adam Miller has a week to 10 days to find a new way to pitch or face career-threatening surgery on his right middle finger.

Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, said Wednesday that the hard-throwing Miller must find a way to compensate for the stiffness in his finger so he can throw his pitches where he wants to throw them.
If not, he will need reconstructive surgery on the finger. The surgery will sideline him for the upcoming season and, perhaps, cost him his career.
Soloff said a decision will be made by the end of March.

Miller, shut down twice this spring because of soreness and swelling in the finger, was examined by hand specialists Monday and Tuesday. Dr. Thomas Graham, who operated on Miller's finger on May 27 to close a hole and repair one of the ligaments, examined Miller on Tuesday.

As of Friday, Miller was told not to pick up a baseball. Wednesday, however, he said he had no pain in the finger.

more

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians send Adam Miller, David Huff and 13 others to minors; 44 still in camp
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Thursday March 19, 2009, 12:04 PM

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Right-hander Adam Miller and left-hander David Huff today were among the 15 players the Indians sent to the minors in their first big cut of spring training.

Miller, who could be facing career-ending surgery on his right middle finger, was optioned to Class AAA Columbus along with right-handers John Meloan and Juan Salas, left-hander Tony Sipp and infielder Luis Valbuena.
Right-hander Hector Rondon and catcher Carlos Santana were optioned to Class AA Akron.

Left-hander Huff, right-hander Jack Cassel, catcher Armando Camarcaro, infielders Jordan Brown, Wes Hodges, Jesus Merchan, Beau Mills and Stephen Head were re-assigned to minor league camp.

There are 44 players still in camp. The Indians must be down to 25 when they open the regular season on April 6 against Texas.

Perhaps the biggest surprise among the cuts was Huff, who came to camp with a chance to make the starting rotation. He developed some soreness in his left bicpes muscle and made just two Cactus League appearances.

More

[OHSportsFan9]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I don't think I will ever see him pitch in a major-league game which is a shame because of all the talent is supposed to have.

Cleveland.com

Unbelievable. I guess that's why we should NEVER count on prospects.

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I don't think I will ever see him pitch in a major-league game which is a shame because of all the talent is supposed to have.

Cleveland.com

[censored]ing hell.

[buckeyemania11]

I never really expected to ever see Adam Miller pitch at the MLB level, with all the injuries he has been hit with

hopefully the guy can bounce back but its been a bumpy road for him

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by buckeyemania11

I never really expected to ever see Adam Miller pitch at the MLB level, with all the injuries he has been hit with

I was holding out hope that with his move to the bullpen, the injuries would begin to slack off. Guess not. I fully believe he'll never make it to Cleveland. What will happen is he'll eventually be released and resurface somewhere else when he's 27-28 years old and begin dominating. Mark it down.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by NFBuck

I was holding out hope that with his move to the bullpen, the injuries would begin to slack off. Guess not. I fully believe he'll never make it to Cleveland. What will happen is he'll eventually be released and resurface somewhere else when he's 27-28 years old and begin dominating. Mark it down.

similar to "what's his name" who we released and is now pitching not bad for the Orioles.

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians have five pitchers seeking fifth spot in starting rotation
Friday, March 20, 2009
Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Phoenix -- It's five-for-five time. That would be five pitchers for the fifth and final spot in the Indians starting rotation.

The field was reduced by one Thursday when David Huff was reassigned to minor-league camp along with 14 other players. The remaining five are Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Scott Lewis, Zach Jackson and Kirk Saarloos.

"Anybody who is still in camp has a chance," said manager Eric Wedge.
Laffey and Jackson took their turn on the spinning wheel Thursday in a 7-5 loss to Milwaukee at Maryvale Baseball Park. Laffey couldn't do much better than he did for three innings. In the fourth, though, he tired and gave up three runs to turn a 3-0 lead into a tie game.

Jackson took the opposite path. He entered with a 4-3 lead in the fifth and gave up four runs on four hits to his former teammates. He bounced back by pitching three scoreless innings.

Laffey and Jackson have taken similar approaches to this competition. In their minds, the job already belongs to them.

more

Jackson could end up in the bullpen if he does not make the starting rotation.

[billmac91]

I've always liked Laffey.....I don't think he's ever had a fair chance. Even when he was pitching light sout last year, it was a matter of time before someone else got healthy and would take his spot.

I'm for Laffey.

[buckeyemania11]

Originally Posted by billmac91

I've always liked Laffey.....I don't think he's ever had a fair chance. Even when he was pitching light sout last year, it was a matter of time before someone else got healthy and would take his spot.

I'm for Laffey.

I would be surprised if Laffey didnt get it

im fine with Laffey or Scott Lewis though

Sowers and Jackson are