Anthony Reyes made an immediate impact after being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in the second half of last season for the Indians. Now, he has earned a spot in the rotation.
‘‘Certainly if he is healthy, Reyes is going to be in our rotation,’’ GM Mark Shapiro said.
Reyes sat out the last few weeks of the season with a sore elbow. After the extended rest, he was sent to the club’s new spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., to complete a throwing program.
‘‘He threw off the mound at perhaps 75 percent (of his capacity),’’ Shapiro reported. ‘‘We won’t know for sure if he’s healthy until we see him in spring training.’’
But the GM has no reason to doubt that Reyes will be fit. On the other hand, Reyes’ elbow has caused him to miss enough to time to be a concern. It probably will be a maintenance issue for his entire career.
For the record, with four starters all but picked, Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, Scott Lewis and Huff will be competing for one spot.
THE COUNT
Cliff Lee has declined to participate in the World Baseball Classic, but Grady Sizemore and Mark DeRosa have accepted invitations to play for the U.S. squad.
‘‘There probably will be four or five others,’’ Shapiro said.
GOODBYE ANDY
Shapiro conceded that it will be difficult for Andy Marte to make the team or even remain in the organization because he is out of options.
‘‘It’s going to be a tough road for Andy,’’ he said of the once highly touted third baseman. ‘‘It’s hard to see him (making it) unless there’s an injury.’’
STILL DELLUCCI TIME
What will become of David Dellucci, who has a contract for 2009 but not much of a resume?
‘‘Right now, he’s one of our four outfielders,’’ Shapiro said. ‘‘We still hold out hope for David to be a contributor and to have a productive year.’’
Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo are set as the regulars in center and right, and Ben Francisco will have a shot at being the everyday left fielder, unless he shares the position with Dellucci. Then there are the three touted minor leaguers: Matt LaPorta, Trevor Crowe and Michael Brantley, who will be looked at closely in spring training.
HERE THEY COME
The Tribe’s annual press tour will stop at both Akron and Canton.
The Indians will visit Akron for a dinner session at Todaro’s Party Center, 1820 Akron-Peninsula Road, on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. Featured will be Wedge, Lee and third-base prospect Wes Hodges. Tom Hamilton will be the emcee.
Tickets are $35 ($25 for children 10 and under) and can be purchased in person at WAKR (1590-AM) studios at 1795 W. Market St. (44313) or by mail to WAKR’s address. Make checks payable to WAKR/Indians. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
On Jan. 21, the press tour will visit the McKinley Grand Hotel in Canton (320 Market Ave. S.). Doors will open at 11 a.m. The cost is $15, which includes a box lunch. Tickets can be purchased at the Medicine Shoppe and Dave Drug locations.
The program will feature hitting coach Derek Shelton, reliever Jensen Lewis and Francisco. Jim Rosenhaus, a member of the Tribe’s radio team, will emcee.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Normally, I wouldn’t mind the pitching depth Shapiro has acquired, but it seems that year after year, he insists on placing random veterans ahead of our young arms which, in their limited exposure, have shown themselves to be ready to take the next step. Minnesota, for example, would never hinder the major league development of Aaron Laffey and Scott Lewis, either of whom could win more than the Yankee castoff. And that’s not to even mention Huff and others.
When, exactly, do our young pitchers get their opportunity? In all honesty, I wouldn’t want to be an up-and-coming pitcher in the Tribe system. It’ll get worse when Westbrook returns and is handed his spot on a silver platter, too.
Eric is right. Pavano and Reyes would be good players to sign and stick in the minors or the bottom of the bullpen in case of a string of injuries. Handing them spots in the rotation is crazy.
If Reyes can stay healthy, he’s better than any of the young starting pitchers they’ve debuted recently. No guarantees, but Anthony could have a very positive impact. Pavano on the other hand…..