Press Release on the Release and Re-sign of Juan Lara
CLEVELAND, OH — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has released LHP JUAN LARA and re-signed him to a free agent minor league contract for the 2008 season.
Lara sustained multiple injuries after the sports-utility vehicle (SUV) he was driving was struck by a motorcycle in the early morning hours of November 26 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. At the time of the traumatic accident he was pitching for Estrellas in the Dominican Winter League. He was hospitalized in the Dominican before undergoing surgery on his neck and left arm at the Cleveland Clinic on December 23. He is currently undergoing occupational therapy at Cleveland’s Lutheran Hospital and will continue his rehabilitation under the guidance and supervision of the Cleveland Indians Medical Staff.
Lara has been a member of the Indians organization since 1999 and appeared in 10 games at the big league level for the Indians in 2006 and 2007.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
