Charlie Nagy has been hired by the Indians to be the pitching coach for Class AAA Columbus.

Former Columbus pitching coach Scott Radinsky was recently named the Indians’ bullpen coach.

Pitching for the Indians from 1990 through 2002, Nagy won 129 games for the Tribe. He made three All-Star appearances as an Indian, in 1992, 1996 and 1999. He finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting in 1996.

Previously, Nagy served as a special assistant to general manager Mark Shapiro.

Nagy was selected to the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2007.

The Indians also announced that Lee May Jr. would be the hitting coach for Columbus. He was promoted from Class AA Akron.

There may not be a whole lot to cheer about with the Indians these days, but let’s check out what some of the team’s minor leaguers are up to with the season just about a month old.

Indians phenom Matt LaPorta

TRIPLE  A COLUMBUS

The Clippers are 9-12 and in last place in the International League West Division:

* The Indians called up left-handed pitcher Rich Rundles Wednesday to replace Tribe designated hitter Travis Hafner, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder soreness. Rundles went 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA in seven appearances with the Clippers.

* Outfielder Matt LaPorta was named the International Batter of the Week for April 20-26. LaPorta hit safely in all seven games with four multi-hit efforts, batting .520 with a league-leading 13 hits, 10 runs scored and a .613 on-base percentage. LaPorta is near the top of the League in most offensive categories, including batting average (tied for seventh, .368), home runs (tied for fourth, five), hits (tied for sixth, 25), slugging percentage (third, .706), triples (tied for fourth, two) and runs scored (tied for first, 20).

* First baseman/ designated hitter Michael Aubrey is batting a league-leading .438 (21-for-48) with four doubles, two home runs, 11 RBI and seven runs scored. 

DOUBLE A AKRON

The Aeros are off to a franchise-best 16-4 mark and are in first place in the Eastern League Southern Division:

* A handful of Aeros are among the league’s statistical leaders. Second baseman Josh Rodriguez is tied for the league lead with 14 walks and is fourth with a .460 on-base percentage…Center fielder Jose Constanza leads the league with nine stolen bases…Catcher Carlos Santana is tops in the league with six home runs and 19 RBI. …Right-handed closer Vinnie Pestano leads the league with nine saves.

* Right-handed pitcher Hector Rondon has gotten off to a red-hot start at 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA. In 23 innings he struck out 22 and has lasted at least five innings in each of his starts this year.

* A surprise candidate for another solid start to the season is left-handed pitcher Chuck Lofgren, who is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his first three starts. He has limited the opposition to a .111 average against and ranks fifth in the Eastern League in ERA.

Kinston infielder Lonnie Chisenhall

HIGH CLASS A KINSTON

The K-Tribe is 11-10 and tied for first place in the Carolina League Southern Division:

* For the second straight week, Kinston teammates swept the Carolina League weekly awards as third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and right-handed pitcher Eric Berger received the Players of the Week awards for April 20-26.

* Chisenhall had back-to-back five RBI games and homered in three consecutive contests. Although his 11-game hitting streak was snapped last Sunday, he posted three multiple-hit efforts and scored six runs during the seven-game span. In 20 games this season Chisenhall is batting .274 with four home runs and 20 RBI.

* Berger did not allow a run over two outings last week, helping the K-Tribe defeat Myrtle Beach and Lynchburg. He limited opponents to four hits and two walks while striking out 13 batters in 10 innings. Berger leads the Carolina League with 26 strikeouts and ranks second with a 1.42 ERA.

* First baseman/designated hitter Matt McBride is riding a 13-game hitting streak during which he’s batting .462 (24-for-52) with five doubles, five home runs, 19 RBI and 13 runs scored. Six of his last eight games have been multi-RBI efforts. On the season, McBride ranks first in the Carolina League with 10 doubles, 57 total bases, 25 RBI and a .722 slugging percentage. He also ranks second in on-base plus slugging percentage at 1.187. His .405 (32-for-79) batting average and five home runs are tied for second in the league.

LOW CLASS A LAKE COUNTY

The Captains are 8-12 and in sixth place in the South Atlantic League Southern Division:

* Outfielder Adam White is batting .300 (15-for-50) in 17 games with 10 stolen bases, which is tied for second in the South Atlantic League.

* First baseman/designated hitter Nate Recknagel is hitting .319 (15-for-47) in 12 games, recording at least one hit in 10 of those games.

* Right-handed pitcher Alexander Perez hasn’t won in his first four starts, but has limited opponents to five earned runs in 22 2/3 innings for a 1.99 ERA with 23 strikeouts (tied for sixth in the league).

Travis Hafner’s surgically repaired right shoulder has again become an issue for the Indians.

Wednesday afternoon, Hafner was placed on the 15-day disabled list and will visit Birmingham, Ala., orthopedist James Andrews, probably on Monday. 

“Hafner is having some soreness and a little fatigue in the shoulder,” manager Eric Wedge said. “”We knew this could come up. It’s not uncommon after surgery. We’ll let it calm down. I don’t think it’s serious.”

Hafner lost virtually all of last season because of weakness in the shoulder and underwent surgery to clean out the area on Oct. 14.

Wedge was unclear whether Hafner informed the club of the injury, or staffers took note that the designated hitter’s swing was out of whack.

“I noticed that his swing was different,” the manager said, referring to inconsistencies from day to day. “”But we’ve been monitoring him for three or four days. He’s been getting treatment.”

Hafner had been maintaining a routine of playing three to five days in row then taking one day off. But when Wedge kept him out of the lineup Sunday and Monday, nothing was said about the condition of Hafner’s shoulder, which, indeed, might not have been the reason he was benched.

With Hafner sidelined for at least 15 days, Wedge and General Mark Shapiro will make at least one addition to the roster (Rich Rundles is here Wednesday night only). 

“Hafner being out changes the dynamic of our offensive scheme,” Wedge said. “”We’ll probably talk about multiple moves.”

Wedge explained that replacing Hafner will not be the only change discussed. The only name the manager mentioned was David Dellucci, who is batting .414 at Columbus, where he is on a rehabilitation assignment.

“At the very latest, David was going to be back here some time next week, anyway,” Wedge said, adding that he wasn’t confirming Dellucci will be called up in time for the first game of a trip that begins Friday in Detroit.

“We’re considering others, too,” the manager said. “”We want to look at everybody. We’ve got a lot of ability down there.”

With Tony Graffanino struggling at the plate (.130 average), Wedge and Shapiro might be thinking about calling up Josh Barfield, who was sent to Columbus to make room for Aaron Laffey two weeks ago. Barfield is batting .350 at Triple-A. 

And because top prospect Matt LaPorta is batting .368 with five home runs and 14 RBI at Columbus, his name undoubtedly will be part of any discussions. 

THE FIRST STEP — The result of the surgery to repair Adam Miller’s right middle finger is that he will undergo a second operation.

Dr. Tom Graham of the Curtis Hand Clinic in Baltimore performed surgery on Tuesday to repair the flexor pulley system on Miller’s damaged finger. Pulleys are bindings that hold the tendon to the bone.

A second phase of the surgery will be performed about three months from now. In that procedure, Graham will reconstruct the flexor tendon. 

Recovery time is estimated at six to nine months from now, but there is no guarantee that Miller’s pitching career will continue.

There is a possibility that scar tissue will form inside the finger and limit the range of motion and strength of the finger. If the scar tissue is removed successfully, Miller presumably can pitch again, but keeping the scar tissue from reforming is not a given.

TEMPORARY PASS — Tribe brass summoned Rundles to Cleveland to help boster an overworked bullpen that was gasping for breath after the marathon 9-8 win over the Red Sox Tuesday night. 

With Hafner going on the DL, there was a roster opening and Rundles will get it, but not for long.

“We had Rundles come to town, but he’ll probably only be here for one night,’ Wedge said. “”He’s been throwing well down there, and he’s had some experience up here.”

The left-hander has made seven appearances in the Clippers’ bullpen, giving up one earned run, three hits and three walks in six innings. He also has struck out seven.

With a day off today, the tired Tribe bullpen should be in good shape for the weekend series in Detroit, which means Rundles will head back to Columbus. Even when he does, the Indians will keep eight relievers, at least for a few days.

GET USED TO IT — Mark DeRosa’s comfort level as an American League player is more than becoming familiar with pitchers he hasn’t faced. 

“The American League is different,” the third baseman said. “”From a defensive standpoint, I don’t know how many times (coach) Luis Rivera has had to move me back, because I’m thinking bunt. But in this league, nobody bunts.”

ABOUT THAT NIGHT — At 4 hours, 19 minutes, Tuesday night’s game was the longest nine-inning game ever at Progressive Field… It took 410 pitches to complete the game… The Tribe lineup was 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position…The umpires went through eight dozen baseballs in the first three innings, more than in most full games.

FARM FACTS — Wes Hodges had three hits, and Wyatt Toregas had a two-run homer, as Columbus beat Toledo 5-3. Jeremy Sowers (1-1, 2.25 ERA) worked seven innings, allowing one run and five hits, while striking out six and walking two… Matt McBride, raising his average to .405, homered twice, singles and drove in four runs as Kinston beat Salem 7-2. Lonnie Chisenhall also homered and had two RBI. Ryan Morris (1-2, 3.38 ERA) gave up two unearned runs and three hits in six innings.

Leave it to Aaron Laffey to stop the Tribe’s bleeding again.

The left-hander allowed two runs and five hits through 6 1/3 innings to improve his record to 2-0. Through six innings though it was a three-hit shutout. 

In the seventh inning Laffey loaded the bases and was replaced by Jensen Lewis, who gave up a two-run single to pinch hitter Denard Span, making the score 4-2 Indians.

Indians manager Eric Wedge then summoned rookie Tony Sipp to face former MVP Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel with the bases loaded. He struck out both to end the inning. 

The Twins were used to seeing Rafael Perez and had never seen  Sipp before, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“You tip your hat to the kid because he made good pitches, and also, he had the little advantage that we hadn’t seen him,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Offensively the Indians did just enough to get the win. Sheldon Ocker speculated whether the Indians heard Wedge’s message through the media Saturday.

First baseman Ryan Garko said that he didn’t see it, but no message needed to be sent regardless.

”I didn’t see anything today, because it was a day game,” said Garko, when asked whether he had read the newspapers or heard about Wedge’s unsubtle message. ”He really doesn’t have to say that. Nobody cares as much as Mark [DeRosa], Grady [Sizemore], me or any of us. We know we should be scoring more runs in these games.

Garko plated two runs in the third inning by hitting a single with the bases loaded.

WHATS HAPPENIN’ IN AKRON

The Aeros had a sort of a good luck charm this weekend in the form of “Grandma Z.” The 78-year-old Eastlake resident bakes all kinds of goodies for the Indians minor league players.

Under her watchful eye, Chuck Lofgren threw six innings of no hit baseball Saturday.

Frank Hermann took a no hitter into the fourth inning Sunday before Altoona Curve centerfielder Jose Tabata broke it up with a seeing-eye single in the fourth. Jason Delaney followed Tabata with a two-run home to left center field.

Aeros center fielder Jose Constanza continues to be a force out of the lead off spot. The speedster was 3-6 Sunday with three singles and two stolen bases. He also reached base on an error.

The Aeros blew an eighth inning 6-2 lead, losing 7-6 in 10 innings.

COLUMBUS CLIPPINGS

Clippers starting pitcher Tomo Ohka limited the Indians to two hits over six innings, but the Clippers still lost 5-4. They blew a 4-0 eighth inning lead.

THE REST

– Masa Kobayashi is used to being a rockstar in Japan. He is just trying to be a rock in the Indians bullpen and offers plenty of versatility to do so. 

– Johnny Peralta is trying to bust out of an 0-17 slump. 

What positives could be taken from Saturday night’s 7-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field?

Starting pitching?

Carl Pavano allowed five runs and 11 hits in five innings. He walked one. But as Sheldon Ocker points out, the Twins two, fourth-inning runs were made possible by four consecutive groundballs.

relief pitching?

Rafael Perez is being brought back into the fold. He relieved Pavano in the sixth with the bases loaded and no one out. The first batter hit a sacrifice fly, followed by a strikeout and a ground out.

Joe Smith picked up two strikeouts and allowed no runs in his two innings of work.

Then there is Masa Kobayashi who served up back-to-back home runs to Jason Kubel and Joe Crede in the ninth.

How about hitting?

Manager Eric Wedge raised his voice for the first time this season to the media, according to Ocker:

”I think where we are, off to a poor start, we have to address everything,” Wedge said. ”I don’t want to dig too big a hole for ourselves.”

For the first time this season, Wedge’s voice rose in anger in talking to the media.

”What bothers me more than anything is that we’re not making good outs,” he said. ”With the exception of a couple of guys, we’ve had a very poor approach at the plate. There’s no excuse — a lack of discipline, lack of confidence — they better figure it out pretty quick. I’m not going to sit around and watch this. They’re not kids anymore.” 

Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez and Shin-Soo Choo each had doubles. Martinez finished 3-4 on the night. Hafner and Choo were both 2-4.

The rest of the team: 2-23.

It didn’t help them that Minnesota starter Kevin Slowey was on top of his game, but then again, how much of that was Indians induced? Check out these numbers from the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Slowey’s game:

• He faced 32 batters, and only three times did he reach a three-ball count.

• It was the 21st time in 42 career starts that he didn’t walk a batter.

• He threw 22 first-pitch strikes.

• He entered hitter’s counts (2-0, 2-1, 3-1 or 3-0) against just three batters.

• He threw 114 pitches, 84 for strikes

Per MLB.com:

“I can’t remember seeing him a whole lot better than that,” catcher Mike Redmond said of Slowey. “You could just see it in his face that he was locked in. It’s fun to catch guys like that.”

Despite the early season slump and 6-12 record, Sheldon Ocker isn’t ready to wave the white flag yet.

In Saturday’s game alone though, The Indians appeared to be waving it pretty early. According to this Win Probability graph the game was over long before the ninth.

Via Fangraphs:

WHATS HAPPENIN’ IN AKRON

The Aeros beat Altoona 4-3 Saturday behind starter Chuck Lofgren’s no-hitter in six innings of work. He was removed before the seventh inning due to a high pitch count.

Carlos Santana and Jerad Head each hit solo home runs.

COLUMBUS CLIPPINGS

Outfielder Matt LaPorta was a a double away from the cycle Saturday. He hit his fifth home run of the season.

The game got interesting though when Clippers second basemen Luis Valbuena hit a first inning, two-run home run.

Valbuena and Indianapolis second baseman Chris Barnwell exchanged words when he rounded the bases. Both benches cleared, but no punches were thrown.

Per the Dispatch:

Indianapolis manager Frank Kremblas said that his team took exception to Valbuena’s reaction to the home run.

“The way he acted when he hit it, we didn’t appreciate that,” Kremblas said. “He stood in the box like Barry Bonds, and flips his bat and does his little dance thing. We let him know that we didn’t appreciate that. Then he said something back from the dugout.”

The Clippers won 6-3.

Vinnie Chulk pitched two strong innings Friday night, throwing 94 mile-per-hour fastballs. 

So far Chulk has been almost an afterthought in the bullpen — he pitched once in six days — and was called up from Columbus as the eighth reliever when the bullpen was struggling mightily. 

Manager Eric Wedge had planned to return to seven after last weekend’s series in New York, but with Rafael Perez still struggling he changed his mind.

“I don’t expect that we’ll we’ll keep eight relievers forever,” Wedge said. “”The bullpen is moving in the right direction. When it gets where it needs to be we’ll have seven guys.” 

Just because Chulk was summoned as No. 8 doesn’t necessarily mean he will be the pitcher sent back to Triple-A.

So far, he has pitched in five games and given up two earned runs in seven innings. His most grievous sin was making a throwing errror that allowed the Yankees to tie the score in a game they eventually won.

INSTANT TRANSFORMATION — Tony Sipp doesn’t hesitate to admit that he wasn’t born a hard thrower.

“Before high school, the curveball was my pitch,” said the Tribe reliever. “”When I threw my fastball, they hit it out every time.”

During his high school years, Sipp underwent a magical transformation.

“I told the coach that I thought I could throw harder,” he said. “”I just felt like I could. I never tried to overthrow.”

These days, Sipp gets his fastball to the plate at about 91 miles per hour.

MENTAL HEALTH DAY — Jhonny Peralta is hitless in his past five games (0-for-17) with seven strikeouts, prompting Wedge to give him Saturday night off. 

“Jhonny’s just been in a little funk,” he said. “”This is a guy I feel will be a run producer for us and he already has been. Hopefully, the warm weather will help him.”

WANTED: A DEFENSE — The defense cost the Tribe three runs Friday night, enough to give the Twins a 5-1 win.

“We’ve had (bad) moments in all areas of the club,” Wedge said. “”But one area that out focus needs to get better in is the defense.” 

Even when several players simultaneously have problems catching the ball and throwing it, there is no single solution that fits everyone.

“It might be one area of the club, but each individual has to fight whatever battle he has to overcome,” Wedge said. “”This is the big leagues, and you have to make big-league plays.”

LEE HONORED — Before Saturday night’s game, Ryan Garko presented Cliff Lee with two Players Choice Awards: one as the American League’s Outstanding pitcher and one as the league’s Comeback Player of the Year.

To go with the award, Lee designated that the Miracle League of Arkansas and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital receive $20,000 each from the Players Trust, a foundation established and operated by big leaguers.

FARM FACTS — Matt LaPorta hit his fourth home run of the season and singled, driving in two runs, as Columbus outlasted Indianapolis 9-7. Luis Valbuena had three hits, including a double and triple, and three RBI. Wes Hodges also had three hits, and David Dellucci, on a rehab assignment, played his first game in the outfield after three days of being the designated hitter.

The starting pitching seems to be turning a corner, but where were the bats Wednesday?

Cleveland Indians starter Cliff Lee pitched eight innings Wednesday night. He allowed two runs, nine hits, struck out five and walked one.

As April gets closer to May though, Lee has already equaled his loss total from a year ago (three). It wasn’t his fault in yesterday’s 2-0 loss.

On this night the Kansas City’s freshly recalled pitcher Brian Bannister was better.

Sheldon Ocker wrote this in his game story:

That’s because Brian Bannister (1-0, 0.00 ERA) turned the Tribe’s bats into toothpicks. Bannister lasted two fewer innings than Lee, but he gave up only four hits and two walks, inducing the Indians to hit 10 ground balls for outs.

”He moved the ball around well, and he did a great job of making us hit his pitch,” (Indians Manager Eric) Wedge said. ”Their entire staff did a very good job.”

There was only one opportunity for a breakthrough against Bannister. Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner began the fourth inning with singles, but neither runner got to third.

”We didn’t get a lot going,” Wedge said. ”But a couple of points in time, we could have done a better job.”

Yet Anthony Castrovince points out this should have been expected from Bannister.

His numbers against Cleveland:

4-1 with a 1.62 ERA in six career starts against the Indians
3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four starts at Progressive Field.

The bullpen didn’t have a chance to ruin this effort as they were limited to one inning of work. In the ninth inning, left-hander Tony Sipp made his debut. 

Sipp struck out one and got two others to fly out to end the inning.

”He threw the ball great right off the bat,” Wedge said (per Sheldon Ocker). ”It was important for us to keep it at two runs.”

Yet Wedge allowed a raw rookie to do the job.

”We saw him in spring training and we trust our minor-league development guys,” the manager said. ”We thought he could handle that situation.”

Sipp had no idea when he might be called on to pitch.

”I didn’t know if they’d ease me in or throw me right into the fire,” he said. ”I found out.”

Sipp, who has worked his way back form Tommy John surgery, says the surgery has made him better in the long run.

As far as the rest of the bullpen goes, Wedge expects right-hander Joe Smith to be able to shut down lefties as well.

THE REST…

– Joe Posnanski is a fan of Brian Bannister.

– The Indians six double plays Tuesday could or could not be a record be an American League record, depending on your source.

– Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal did a question and answer profile with Jim Thome. The former Indians slugger had a lot of glowing things to say about Cleveland.

– Time to vote for all-stars!

WHATS HAPPEN’ IN AKRON?

Copied from Ohio.com brief:

Aeros 2-3, Senators 0-2 — The Aeros extended their winning streak to five games by sweeping host Harrisburg in a doubleheader Wednesday.

Jerad Head and Beau Mills each had an RBI for Akron in Game one. Head had two hits. Jose Constanza and Niuman Romero each scored a run.

Aeros right-handed pitchers Hector Rondon, Erik Stiller and Vinnie Pestano combined for the shutout in the first game. Rondon (3-0) earned the win, and Pestano notched his sixth save.

Rondon has a 1.10 ERA in 161/3 innings pitched this season.

In Game 2, Akron’s Joshua Rodriguez, Carlos Rivero and Damaso Espino each batted in a run. Rodriguez, Romero and Head each scored a run.

Aeros right-handers Frank Herrmann and Carlton Smith combined for the win in the second game. Smith (1-0) earned the win.

Akron (10-2) remains in first place in the Southern Division of the Eastern League.

COLUMBUS CLIPPINGS

Catcher Wyatt Toregas hit two home runs. Wes Hodges and Stephen head each contributed a three run double in a 14-4 win over the Louisville Bats.

EVEN A STORY FROM KINSTON

Lonnie Chisenhall hit a grand slam and, for the second consecutive day, drove in a career-high five RBI.

The Indians beat the Pelicans 15-5.

Tony Sipp figured he was in big trouble Tuesday night. 

Columbus manager Torey Lovullo phoned Sipp at his digs long after the game was over, asking him to drive back to the ballpark.

“I thought I did something wrong,” said Sipp, who was summoned from Triple-A for the first time in his career to help settle the Indians’ bullpen.

“I made it back to the park and Torey started smiling. I asked him, “What’s so funny?’ and he said, “I just wanted to see your face when I told you that you’re going to the big leagues.’ ”

After the bullpen took over with a 6-1 lead over the Royals in the seventh inning of Tuesday night’s game, Joe Smith and Masa Kobayashi failed to retire any of the five batters they faced (giving up four runs). That’s when manager Eric Wedge and General Manager Mark Shapiro felt they had to make a move.

It turned out to be calling up Sipp and optioning lefty Zach Jackson — who hasn’t been part of the problem — to Triple-A. Jackson pitched only twice and gave up three runs in 42/3 innings.

“We’re going to use Sipp against left-handers,” Wedge said. “He was very impressive in the spring. I like his heartbeat. I like his competitive mindset. He likes to be in there when it counts.” 

Sipp was a promising lefty until his stock slipped after he underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2007. But he has worked his way back into being one of the Tribe’s better bullpen prospects.

“He’s very similar to the way he was before surgery,” Wedge said. “In a perfect world, you’d like to keep him in Triple-A a little more, but we think he’s ready to be up here.

“There were people making arguments that he should make it in spring training.” 

Sipp, 25, made four appearances for the Clippers, allowing three runs and eight hits in seven innings. He also walked five and struck out 10. Left-handed batters are 1-for-10 against him.

“They let me know how everything was in spring training, how they thought I did everything they could have asked for,” Sipp said. “I knew I wasn’t competing for a job, so we were on the same page.”

Asked if he had time to inform his family and friends of the uptick in his career, Sipp said, “I woke everybody up. It was about 11:30, but it wasn’t as that bad because it was only 10:30 in Mississippi.”

That would be Moss Point, Miss., where everyone knows everyone else. 

“Yeah, if I go to the grocery, I know a lot of people,” Sipp said. “If we had a grocery.”

LEE ON BLOCK? – According to a story on CBSSports.com, the Tribe is willing and maybe anxious to trade Cliff Lee.

To quote the article, “”Multiple officials familiar with the Indians said this week that they wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Lee get traded if the Indians fell far out of the race.”

One of these officials was quoted as saying, “”I think they’d love to trade him.” 

Why?

The story speculates that Tribe operatives aren’t sure whether Lee is a legitimate No. 1 starter or middle of the rotation pitcher. Consequently, they aren’t sure what kind of contract to offer him in the future.

“They might think this is the time to sell high on him,” another baseball official was quoted.

Lee asked to negotiate a contract extension in spring training and was turned down, Shapiro telling Lee that the uncertain economy had put a hold on those kinds of talks.

The Indians have an option on Lee for 2010, so there would be no reason to rush to judgment.

TWENTY MEANS TWENTY — Wedge said that David Dellucci (strained calf) might have to complete the entire 20 days of his rehab assignment in Columbus.

“There’s a chance will happen,” the manager said. “It’s not because of his injury. He didn’t have much spring training, and he needs the repetitions.” 

ELECTION SEASON — Voting on line for the All-Star Team began Wednesday.

Fans can log onto Indians.com and vote up to 25 times for their favorites. Balloting at the ballpark and in Indians Team Shops begins Tuesday.

Voting will continue through June 17. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 in St. Louis.

FARM FACTS — Wyatt Toregas hit two home runs and had four RBI in Columbus’ 14-4 win over Louisville. Matt LaPorta had three hits to raise his average to .362… Lonnie Chisenhall hit a grand slam and drove in five runs in Kinston’s 15-5 win over Myrtle Beach. Lucas Montero tripled, doubled and drove in two runs. Eric Berger (1-1, 1.93 ERA) allowed on hit in five innings…. Joe Mahalic worked five scoreless innings, giving up two hits, as Lake County blanked Lakewood 2-0.

Solo home runs and errors and bad calls! Oh My!

There were a lot of different things Friday’s 6-5 loss to the Yankees could be pinned on.

While the media acknowledged the five solo home runs the Yankees hit, the Indians main three beat writers each focused on something a little bit different.

For Sheldon Ocker, it was the senseless ball that reliever Vinnie Chulk rifled past Ryan Garko after fielding a Mark Texiera one-hopper. The error allowed Johnny Damon to score from first.

Anthony Castrovince had a fairly simple take on the game: If your starting pitchers can’t go more than five innings, its very hard to win.

Paul Hoynes let Mark DeRosa vent his frustrations about the final strike of the game. DeRosa watched as a Mariano Rivera cutter sailed high and outside. DeRosa started pedaling to first for a walk. Home Plate Umpire Phil Cuzzi rung him up instead.

As for the five home runs by the Yankees, and one by DeRosa, Pete Abraham is already wondering if the New Yankee Stadium is a launching pad.

The Rest…

Johnny Peralta was held out of yesterday’s game after being nicked up Thursday on a play at the plate. He twisted his elbow when he made contact with Jorge Posada’s shin pad. 

– Ryan Garko has kind of been one of the odd men out this season as Victor Martinez has played a lot more first base and Trevor Crowe has emerged in the outfield. Yet, Garko just cares about winning games, he says.

– Don’t expect many cheers for Carl Pavano on Sunday. Yankee fans absolutely despise the former Yankee who is scheduled to start in the series finale.

In New York Pavano carries the nickname “the American Idle” for his incredible amount of time on the disabled list during a span of four years. During that time he earned nearly $40 million dollars.

As one of my good friends, who lives in New York, jokingly put it: “If Pavano wins Sunday, the city may riot.”

Whats happenin’ in Akron?

Carlos Santana hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning and starter Josh Tomlin allowed one run through six innings as the visiting Aeros beat the Baysox 3-1. Vinnie Pestano picked up the save.

Columbus Clippings

The Clippers will have their home opener this afternoon in the brand new Huntington Park, located in the arena district of Columbus.

The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone, and the thigh bone’s is connected to the hip bone…

Depending on whether all the parts of work together, life will be easier or a struggle. Eric Wedge is painfully aware of this fact, which is a key component of the Indians’ 3-8 record. 

The Tribe’s relief corps is driving the manager up a wall. But the struggles of the bullpen also are associated with the inability of the starters to do their job.

The Indians held a 5-3 lead going into the sixth inning Friday, but they couldn’t hold it and ultimately lost 6-5 to the Yankees.

After Anthony Reyes pitched five innings, the bullpen was in charge (actually it never quite took charge). Zach Jackson and Jensen Lewis each gave up a solo homer, and Vinnie Chulk was his own worst enemy, allowing an unearned run on his own error. 

  “”I feel bad for Anthony,” Lewis said. “”He gave us a chance to win. The hitters, too. They gave us the lead, and we didn’t hold it. But I’d rather get that stuff out of the way now.”

But the current difficulties of the bullpen won’t necessarily diminish with time. 

“”The bullpen is working pretty hard right now, and it’s affecting us,” Wedge said. “”But they have to try and hold on. We need to have those guys step up, and the starters have to go deeper into games.” 

Probably the biggest hole in the bullpen has been caused by the ineffectiveness of Rafael Perez, who was expected to be a lock down pitcher in the seventh and eighth innings. 

And because of the bullpen’s problems, the Tribe is carrying eight relievers for the short term, one more than the norm. But the group that is here now might be subject to change. 

“”We’re going to look at everything,” Wedge said. “”We’ve already started on that road, re-assessing things. I think we have to right now.”

But the rotation is part of the reason the bullpen has struggled. Only three times in 11 games has a starter lasted six innings.

“”It still starts with the starting pitching,” Wedge said. “”We have to get more than five innings from our starters. There’s not a bullpen out there that can survive that.”

If Wedge is hinting that the club might drop down and pluck a reliever from Columbus, there are few obvious choices. At the moment, Matt Herges ( 0.00 ERA, 41/3 IP) and John Meloan (0.00 ERA, 5 IP) have the best numbers. 

ACHING ELBOW — Jhonny Peralta was held out of Friday’s game after a collision at the plate with Yankee catcher Jorge Posada in Thursday’s series opener. 

“”Jhonny’s elbow is a little sore,” Wedge said. “”We’re taking it day to day. (Head trainer Lonnie Soloff) wants to see how the treatment goes today, and we’ll go from there.”

Depending on how the elbow responds to treatment, Peralta might be asked to undergo an X-ray or MRI scan. 

Peralta said he twisted his elbow when he ran into Posada’s shin guard, as the catcher tried to block the plate.

“”That’s a reason to go feet first into the plate every time,” Wedge said. 

HAFNER RETURNS — After sitting out Thursday, Travis Hafner was back in the lineup Friday and will remain there through the weekend series.

“”I want him to face the three right-handers,” Wedge said. “”He was not going to play all four, anyway.”

Wedge preferred that Hafner not be in the lineup against CC Sabathia, a lefty.

STILL MENDING — Jamey Carroll isn’t close to returning to the active roster after fracturing a finger and going on the disabled list April 6. 

“”We’re hoping he can do something involving baseball activity during the next homestand,” Wedge said.

SOCIAL NOTE — When Wedge’s daughter Ava turned three on Friday, the manager went high tech to wish his daughter a happy birthday.

“”I talked to her on a Web cam,” Wedge said. 

FARM FACTS — Toma Ohka (1-0, 3.00 ERA) pitched six scoreless innings, allowing five hits in Columbus’ 2-1 win over Toledo. Matt LaPorta hit his second home run of the season with nobody on base… Eric Berger yielded one run in five innings, but Kinston lost 7-2 to Wilmington. Tim Fedroff doubled twice and singled… Alexander Perez worked seven scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out seven as Lake County blanked Delmarva 3-0. Donnie Webb had two singles and drove in two runs, and Adam White had three hits.