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INDIANS NEWS

    IT WOULD BE NICE - All season, the tribe roster has had a disproportionate number of outfielders at the expense of an utility infielder. Jolbert Cabrera is the Tribe's only spare middle infielder, and he also plays three infield spots, joining Marty Cordova, Wil Cordero, and Russell Branyan as alternating outfielders. "We could use another infielder," Manager Charlie Manuel said. "The way it is now, once I put Jolbert in there, I have to keep him in there. And if I use him in the outfield, I don't have any infielders on the bench."
     A NIGHT OFF - Ellis Burks his sore knee last night after playing the outfield Thursday. "Burks said he wanted to play," Manuel said. "I told him I was going to give him either tonight or tomorrow off. When he heard that, he said he'd rather play tomorrow because his knee was sore from sliding into third. I figure he'll play one or two days in Houston.
    WHERE'S THE MUSCLE? - Travis Fryman has yet to hit a homerun, but Manuel thinks he might be getting close. "I see a little bit of power coming," Manuel said. "When Travis went to triple-A, people thought he was ready because he got some hits. But Triple-A isn't the same as the big leagues. There's a big difference, and this is really like spring training for him." Fryman missed two months with a partially torn ligament in his right elbow. "Right now, he has a kinda lazy top hand (on his swing)," Manuel said. "That might be because of his elbow. But he says it doesn't hurt, that it's not bothering him.
     THE NATURAL? - Last night's starter, C.C. Sabathia, hit several home runs in batting practice, prompting Manuel to say, "I know C.C. can hit. I saw him in the Instructural League and in spring training. I know it was high school, but he hit 22 home runs in 33 games.
     SWING AND MISS - Bartolo Colon, in contrast to Sabathia, had better stick to pitching. In three trips to the plate Thursday night, he struck out swinging three times. "I told Bartolo to lay off the curveballs and swing at the fastballs," Manuel said. "What he did was swing at the curveballs and lay off the fastballs. I must be a hell of a hitting coach."
                                                                              source: Akron Beacon Journal

Sunday, July 15th

Wednesday, July 18th

    ROCKED - What does Charlie Manuel do with John Rocker in the wake of a 1-4 record and a 15.42 ERA in his last 5 outings? "At least for the next few days, we'll try to keep him out of pressure situations," the manager said. "He's struggling right now and we have to fix him." Manuel does not think there is anything physically wrong with Rocker. "The more I'm around John and talk to him, I think he's going through a process of settling in," Manuel said. He was surprised to be traded and he was having a hard time in Atlanta. Now everything is new to him here, so he might be trying too hard." Manuel talked to houston hitting coach Harry Spillman, who has seen Rocker far more than the Tribe manager. "Harry told me that Rocker would run out of the bullpen, and come and get you," Manuel said. he'd blow you away with 97-98 mph fastballs. We haven't seen any 97s and 98s.I know the last couple of months have been real tough on Rocker. He's going through a stressful time and has feelings.
     NOW WHAT? - Chuck Finley traveled to Southern California yesterday to have his disc examined by Angels team physician Lewis Yocum. Jaret Wright was also sent to see Yocum yesterday. "Jaret was supposed to start throwing today, but his shoulder hurts him again," Manuel said. Wright had been shut down for more than a week with discomfort in his surgically repaired right shoulder.
     TURNING BACK THE CLOCK - Dave Burba was a raging success in his first relief appearance since 1998 against the Twins. He threww two pitches to Julio Lugo who flied out to end the 8th inning Monday night. "It felt different," Burba said. "I was a little nervous about it. I hadn't done it for a while. But you just have to approach it like anything else and try to throw strikes." The relief outing didn't jeopardize Burba's next start tomorrow night.
     THINNING BULLPEN - Danys Baez deserved a rest last night after pitching three days in a row (3IP, 1R). "He has a chance to be a big pitcher for us in the bullpen," Manuel said. "He's not used to pitching three days in a row, though, and I don't know if we should push that.
     TAUBENSEE UPDATE - In his first rehab game at Buffalo, Eddie Taubensee went 1-for-3 and caught for 5 innings. He is recovering from a viral infection in his liver. He will remain at Buffalo through Monday then play a few days at Akron, if necessary.

source: Akron Beacon Journal

Tuesday, July 24

    SHUEY UPDATE - After undergoing an MRI yesterday, Paul was told by doctors that he has a partially torn ligament tear in his right elbow. He will be out at least 6 weeks, which means it could be mid-september before he can pitch. There's also a chance he could be down for the whole year. If the tear does not heal sufficiantly, it's possible that Shuey could need a ligament transplant, aka Tommy John Surgery, which would put him out of action for the better part of a year or more.
     TRADING DEADLINE - The indians are unlikely to make any drastic changes before the July 31st trading deadline. There is a shortage of quality starting pitching on the market this year. Tribe owner Larry Dolen is unwilling to shell out the bucks neccessary to obtain a starter that would improve the rotation.
     DOUBLING UP - For the second time this season, Jim Thome has been named the A.L. Player of the Week. For the week that ended Sunday, Thome hiy .391 with 4 home runs, 16 RBI, and a .548 on-base percentage. His RBI total is the most for a one week period since Aug. 16-22, 1999, when Raphael Palmeiro had 17. "When Jimmy starts hitting the ball consistently, that's what makes me happy," Manuel said. "If he hits the ball hard, he's going to get his hits."
     INCREASED RESPONSIBILITY - Danys Baez probably will be given some chance to pitch in a setup role while Shuey is on the DL. "He's becoming a vital part of our bullpen," Manuel said. "If we can get Baez, David Riske, and our situational lefties to do the job, we should be able to cover Shuey." Baez has a 1.72 ERA in 12 appearances
     DECISION TIME - With the Indians scheduled to play a day-nigh doubleheader Saturday in Detroit, Manuel must come up with an extra starter. If the manager doesn't have to use Steve Woodard out of the bullpen in the next couple of days, he probably will get the assignment. If Woodard isn't able to make the start, look for Tim Drew to be summoned from Buffalo.