Tribe notes: Lewis earns closer role … for now, anyway
Chris Assenheimer | The Chronicle-Telegram
CLEVELAND — As long as Jensen Lewis continues to perform the way he has in the closer role, the job is his for the rest of the season — maybe longer.
“He’s the guy right now,” said Indians manager Eric Wedge of the 23-year-old right-hander, who has converted all three of his save opportunities since replacing Masa Kobayashi as the team’s primary closer. “Let’s see what happens. We’ll see how he handles it mentally.”
Lewis has bounced back from a slow start that came on the heels of a promising second half last year, when he went
1-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 26 games to secure a spot at the back end of Cleveland’s bullpen at season’s open.
He’s been back and forth between Triple-A Buffalo and the big leagues this year, sticking with the Indians since being recalled for the third time on July 4 and becoming one of a number of pitchers to audition for the ninth-inning job.
A strong impression could bode well for Lewis’ prospects next year, with the Indians needing a full-time closer.
“I think it would get our attention if he handled this role the rest of the season,” Wedge said.
Lewis has approached closing with an aggressive style that he’s carried to the mound since he was chosen in the third round of the 2005 draft.
“You just have to go in there with completely no fear,” Lewis said. “Whatever happens, happens. If you leave something on the table, you’re going to go to bed that night wondering, ‘What if?’
“This is awesome. When you’re in the bullpen, this is the opportunity you want.”
Rehab roundup
Travis Hafner (right shoulder strain) sat out Tuesday night’s game at Triple-A Buffalo where he is serving as the designated hitter for the Bisons. He went 2-for-3 with a double in his debut Monday.
“Travis looked good (Monday) night,” Wedge said. “He showed some good bat speed.”
Meanwhile, Victor Martinez played six innings Tuesday in his Buffalo rehab debut, going 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk. He also caught for the first time since undergoing right elbow surgery on July 13.
“My elbow feels pretty good,” said Martinez, who was 2-for-6 with a homer in two games with Double-A Akron last weekend. “Thursday I get to catch nine innings and we’ll go from there.”
Martinez, who was not tested by any runners, had his elbow wrapped when playing defense and wore an additional pad while batting.
Josh Barfield (left middle finger surgery) also sat out Tuesday’s game at Buffalo after playing second base on Monday when he went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly. He is 0-for-6 in three rehab games.
Wedge said the trio would play through the week with the Indians re-evaluating them at that point, and possibly activating them all.
“I want to get them back here as soon as we can,” Wedge said.
Back on schedule?
The city of Goodyear, Ariz., has assumed responsibility for completing construction of the Indians’ spring training site, which, according to recent reports, was in jeopardy of not being finished in time for the 2009 exhibition season.
The city has taken over construction from Civica and MPK/Wood Family Enterprises due to concerns regarding completion of offsite infrastructure, which includes, among other things, water and sewer lines, roads and traffic signals.
By doing so, city officials say the
10,000-seat ballpark will be in the stages of “substantial completion” by Jan. 15, 2009, with pitchers and catchers scheduled to report the following month.
The Indians’ development complex/clubhouse is ready for occupancy, with Cleveland already beginning to move in Aug. 11 in preparation for Instructional League in early September.
Fight for fourth
There is little doubt that the Indians have switched their focus to next year, but going from first to worst in the Central Division is still something they would like to avoid.
Fourth-place Cleveland entered a three-game series with the Royals on Tuesday, leading last-place KC by 1½ games, while trailing the third-place Tigers by four.
“We want to finish as best we can,” Wedge said. “We want to win as many games as possible and finish with the best standing we can.”
Mills moment
Beau Mills is having a big second season.
Cleveland’s first-round draft pick (13th overall) last year, entered Tuesday batting .295 with 34 doubles, 20 homers and 85 RBIs in 120 games for advanced Class A Kinston.
Through Monday, Mills ranked first in the Carolina League in homers, second in RBIs and extra-base hits (57) and third in doubles and slugging percentage (.510).
ROURoundin’ third
The Indians’ bullpen entered Tuesday as the only relief corps in the majors with an ERA above 5.00 (5.31). Texas was next to last with a 4.84 ERA.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Chris Assenheimer | The Chronicle-Telegram August 20th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 6% |
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