Indians Confidential

For those that were wondering where the money is going on the Indians roster this season, consider the following when it comes to what the following players are making, and where on the club they rank:

1. Jake Westbrook $10 mil per year - On the DL for the rest of the year after major surgery, and may not be ready to go again till the summer of 2009.

2. Travis Hafer $8 mil per year - Has never hit the same after getting his new deal, and was struggling before that. Is on the DL with a shoulder issue that really has never been fully disclosed.

3. Paul Byrd $7.5 mil per year - 3-10 this year w/ a 5.53 ERA. Was the subject of a steroids scandal story in the ALCS, and since then he’s been cleared, but has never pitched as well as last season.

4. Casey Blake $6.1 mil per year - Having a solid season, batting .279 with 8 homers and 47 RBI, but likely will be traded before the deadline.

5. Victor Martinez $4.4 million per year - Tweaked his hamstring opening day vs the White Sox, and has not been the same. Lack of power alarming as he’s hitting just .278 with no homers and 21 RBI. Also on the DL.

7. David Dellucci $3.7 mil per year - Has basically been a bust in the two seasons with the team, hitting just .220 with 7 homers and 27 RBI, was hurt a good portion of last season, and will be gone when his contract is up.

9. Masa Kybayashi $3 mil per year - Has had good and bad moments in his first year playing ball in America. Has four saves and an ERA of 3.21. The team has hopes that he may eventually be the closer.

10. Jhonny Peralta $2.5 mil per year - Hitting .250 with 14 homers and 40 RBI. Still blasted by many for his shoddy play at short and lack of big hits, Peralta has never regained his 2005 form when he hit .292 with 24 homers and 78 RBI.

The other two players in the Top 10 not listed are Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore, two players that have lived up to or even passed expectations for this season.

From The Indians:

Yesterday, Cleveland Indians DH TRAVIS HAFNER was examined by Dr. Andrews in Mobile, Alabama.  After the examination, Dr. Andrews concurs with Dr. Schickendantz and the Indians medical staff’s evaluation regarding Hafner’s shoulder and recommends continued strengthening of the rotator cuff and shoulder girdle with interval strength re-checks every 7 to 10 days.  Travis will continue on his current shoulder strengthening program. 

From The Indians

The Cleveland Indians do not have a update on DH TRAVIS HAFNER today as Indians Head Athletic Trainer LONNIE SOLOFF has not spoken with Dr. Andrews yet today regarding his examination of Travis.  The Indians should have an update tomorrow on Hafner.

RHP FAUSTO CARMONA was examined this morning by Dr. Schickendantz in Cleveland.  Carmona again felt soreness in the left hip. A MRI revealed some inflammation in the hip, however the inflammation was less than he had experienced in late May.  Fausto will be shut down for 3 days then will be re-evaluated to determine a better time frame as to when he can resume to pitching activities.

From: The Indians

Today, the Indians announced the INF JOSH BARFIELD underwent left middle finger extensor hood reconstruction to stabilize the extensor tendon. The surgery was performed by Dr. Tom Graham in Baltimore, MD. Barfield is expected to return to play in 6 to 8 weeks.

Other injury news:

RHP FAUSTO CARMONA threw at 3.0 inning simulated game in Mahoning Valley yesterday. He felt general soreness after being evaluated in Cleveland today and will be re-evaluated tomorrow prior to determining when he will make his first rehab start.

DH TRAVIS HAFNER took dry swings as well as swings off the tee on Sunday in Progressive Field. According to Indians Head Athletic Trainer Lonnie Soloff, Hafner is not progressing as quickly as hoped and will be evaluated by Dr. Andrews tomorrow in Alabama to ensure he and the Indians are on the right track with his rehab plan in order to expedite his return.

Travis Hafner will need another week of strenght-building exercises before he is ready to start a rehab stint in the minors.  The Indians made that decision after Hafner took another round of swings in the indoor cages at Progressive Field on Sunday.  Hafner has been on the disabled list since May 30th with a strained right shoulder.  Hafner is hitting just .217 with four homers and 22 runs batted in this season.

In this latest audio interview, site editor Matt Loede talks with our newest staff member and host of the 10th Inning on ESPN 850 WKNR - Greg Brinda.  The pair talk about the season to date, the injuries, the outlook for the offense, and if the team is going to make any moves as the trade deadline nears.  Click below to hear this latest interview with ESPN’s Greg Brinda.

 

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As if playing shorthanded is not bad enough, the news went from bad to worse for the Indians this afternoon, as not only has catcher Victor Martinez been placed on the DL, the team also announced today that he will be arthroscopic surgery tomorrow to remove loose bodies from his right elbow joint.

Word is that Victor will be out 6 to 8 weeks, and that now the duties of the catcher role will be for Kelly Shoppach (.225 3 homers 7 RBI) and Yamid Haad, who was called up from Buffalo. Martinez has had a tough 2008, first he hurt his hamstring on opening day vs the White Sox and missed a few games, and now the elbow injury. So for now, here is the list of those hurt for the Indians:

C Victor Martinez
2B Josh Barfield
DH Travis Hafner
P Fausto Carmona
P Jake Westbrook (done for the year)

Hate to say it, but the winds of despair are blowing more than ever at Progressive Field, and morale has got to be on life support at this point after the news today.