The Indians expect to get Rule 5 pick Josh Rodriguez back from the Pirates.
The Indians will take Josh Rodriguez back from the Pirates if he doesn't make their big league club.Goodyear, Ariz. -- This is a daily briefing on the Cleveland Indians in spring training as they prepare for the 2011 season.
March 23, Day 37 -- The Indians expect to get infielder Josh Rodriguez, the first pick in December's Rule 5 draft, back from the Pirates before the end of camp. Rodriguez played shortstop and second base for Class AAA Columbus last year and the Indians are in dire need of upper level shortstops.
Rodriguez is trying to make the Pirates as a utility infielder. As a Rule 5 pick, the Pirates have to keep him on the 25-man roster or offer him back to the Indians for half of the $50,000 purchase price.
Last season Rodriguez hit .293 (93-for-317) with 23 doubles, 12 homers and 46 RBI at Columbus. He started the year at Class AA Akron and hit .317 (20-for-63) with 11 RBI.
Live with it: Grady Sizemore has made strides with his surgically repaired left knee, but it reminds him daily that things are not the same as they once were.
"I'm definitely aware of it," said Sizemore, after playing three innings in center field Tuesday for the first time this spring. "I don't expect to be pain free and not notice the knee. That's been explained to me.
"It's just a matter of being able to manage it. As long as it doesn't keep me from doing something, I don't see a problem with that."
People keep waiting to see how Sizemore will react when he has to chase down a ball or make a diving catch.
"I've seen him shag balls in batting practice," said manager Manny Acta. "He's been doing it normally. The last hurdle will be diving for the ball. It will mean he's not thinking about his knee."
Sizemore, when asked if he was anticipating such a play, said, "Not really. I've been in that position before. Game speed it going to be a little different. I'm sure I'll experience a play like that in the next couple of weeks."
Men in blue: Scott Barry, Dan Bellino and Brian Knight have joined MLB's umpiring staff. They have all worked big-league games as substitute umpires from Class AAA.
Barry, 34, made his big league debut on June 4, 2006. Bellino, 32, made his big league debut on June 25, 2008. Knight, 36, made his big league debut on May 7, 2001.
Minors update: Columbus beat Akron, 6-1, Tuesday. Wes Hodges and Jared Head drove in two runs each for Columbus. Nelson De La Cruz struck out three and didn't allow a hit in three innings.
Drew Pomeranz, pitching for Class A Kinston, threw three scoreless innings in a 3-0 loss to Class A Lake County. Pomeranz, the Indians No.1 pick last year, struck out five and walked three. Alex Lavisky doubled for Lake County.
The Indians minor leaguers will play Milwaukee's minor leaguers today.
Take no chances: Acta was asked if he would consider opening the season carrying reliever Joe Smith even though he's injured. It's anticipated that Smith's strained abdominal muscle would be healed by early April.
"We could do that easy," said Acta, "but at this day and age, you don't want to start the season and put yourself in that spot. You don't know what the starters are going to do. We don't have experienced guys where it's hands down that they're going to give you seven innings."
Smith, Jason Donald, Sizemore and Trevor Crowe are expected to open the season on the disabled list.
Today's lineups:
Royals: 2B Chris Getz, CF Mitch Maier, DH Billy Butler, 1B Kila Ka'aihue, LF Alex Gordon, 3B Wilson Betemit, RF Jeff Francoeur, C Brayan Pena, SS Alcides Escobar, RHP Nate Adcock.
In the pen: Tim Collins, Aaron Crow, Louis Coleman and Sean O'Sullivan will follow Adcock to the mound.
Indians: CF Michael Brantley, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 1B Carlos Santana, DH Travis Hafner, 2B Orlando Cabrera, LF Shelley Duncan, 3B Luis Valbuena, C Lou Marson, P Carlos Carrasco.
What's ahead: David Huff will face San Francisco's Barry Zito on Thursday night in Scottsdale, Ariz. at 10:05 p.m. ET. WTAM will carry the game.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/03/tribe_would_welcome_back_josh.html
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