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.

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.

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.

There is a time warp effect for fans sitting in the new Yankee Stadlium.

The shape and sight lines of the grandstand, the dimensions of the field, the location of the bullpens, the scoreboard filled with ads and the iconic slatted frieze that rings the facing of the upper deck are nearly identical to old Yankee Stadium, which sits forlon and forgotten across the street.

Identical would be the wrong word, because above the mezzanine level are a row of suites which begin in far right field and continue until they abut the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar in distant left field, one of three membership only restaurants in the ballpark.

Another, the Legends Suite Club, is on the lower concourse level behind home plate. Who is entitled to step inside the Legends Suite Club? “”It’s for the fancy, schmantsy people,” said the usher at the door.

That would be the fans who sit in the first eight rows behind the plate in padded chairs, where each seat costs $2,600 per game.

The concourse from home plate to the right field foul pole is lined with concession outlets and stores to buy everything from Yankee memorabilia and gear to fine art.

More than an hour before the game, 21 people were in line at the Bank of America ATM machine, and 55 more were lined up outside the Yankee Team Store, which was too jammed to hold all the prospective customers.

In the concourse near first base was the Peter Max Gallery, where fans went after they left the ATM machine. Several of the popular artist’s works were for sale: If his 2003 Liberty Head painting, priced at $24,000, didn’t quite fit the budget, there was Walking in the Reeds, selling for the relative bargain price of $7,850.

When fans get hungry, there are plenty of choices, from Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, Carl’s Philly cheesesteaks, Johnny Rockets hamburgers, sushi and Asian noodles, outposts that sell garlic fries ($5), candied and caramel apples and south of the border delicacies at La Esquina Latina.

A Cuban sandwich at La Esquina is $9.75, a Moe’s Homewrecker Burrito $9 and plantain chips $4. 

The visitors locker room is as large as many home team facilities, and the Yankee clubhouse runs from home plate to right field. And player amenities aren’t just about space. In every Yankee locker is a lap top computer. 

Impressive, to be sure. But when all is said and done, Yankee Stadium is just another $1.5 billion ballpark.

OLD FRIEND, NEW ENEMY — It was difficult for at least some of the Indians to look at CC Sabathia and regard him as the enemy.

“For me, it was kind of hard to get in the box and see CC in a different uniform,” said Victor Martinez, who caught Sabathia and came up through the Tribe farm system with him. “”I don’t have a word to describe it. But I always wish CC the best.”

Added Grady Sizemore, “”He was a good teammate and a good friend for so long, it was difficult early in the game. It definitely was tough my first at-bat.” 

UNIQUE DISTINCTION – When the starting lineups were announced, Carl Pavano was greeted with the loudest and longest boos of the afternoon. 

Pavano is coming off a four-year, injury-filled stint with the Yankees, and was made out to be a villain by the New York press corps. Obviously, the fans were paying attention.

A HAUL FOR THE HALL — Jeff Idelson, president of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, was on hand to collect significant memorabilia.

After the game, Idelson chose three items to take back to Cooperstown: a Cliff Lee autographed game-used baseball, Sabathia’s shoes and Grady Sizemore’s bat.

“That represented the seminal moment of the game,” Idelson said of the bat. 

HOW WEIRD? – Wedge was asked before the game how weird it would be to see former Cleveland ace CC Sabathia pitch in a Yankee uniform.

“I hope it’s a little more weird for him than it is for us,” he said.

ON SCHEDULE? — Because of an off day Monday, Wedge has the option of skipping Aaron Laffey’s turn, but that doesn’t mean he will.

“I don’t think so, but I’m not sure yet,” the manager said. “”There’s a good argument to give everybody (but Laffey) an extra day because we’re going to be playing 17 or 18 in a row.”

After the off day, the Tribe will play 26 games in 27 days.

Wedge also said that he might reassess keeping eight relievers after the series here concludes.

FARM FACTS — David Huff (2-0, 4.50 ERA) gave up one run and five hits in five innings, and Michael Aubrey singled twice, but his average dropped to .542 in Columbus’ 4-1 win over Indianapolis. Jordan Brown homered and doubled… Lonnie Chisenhall and Matt Brown each had two hits in Kinston’s 6-2 loss to Wilmington.