Morning Update: Barfield, Martinez, Carmona Closing in on Action

Fausto Carmona is closer than them all. He’ll make one more start for Double A Akron as noted in the Minor League Update. He’ll throw 80 pitches and if all goes well he’ll be ready to return next week. The downside in all this? Only one more start for the amazing Matt Ginter.

Josh Barfield took ground balls and held a bat. Lonnie Soloff says it could be 2-3 weeks from a return.

The Hamstring of Victor Martinez is all healed up and he has began running exercises. He’ll swing a bat next week and could be at least three weeks from game action.

Then of course, there is Travis Hafner. Hafner has made a significant improvement from the last time we heard. It took a what, week and a half-two week update to find out he only improved 10 percent? Well in a matter of a week, Hafner’s shoulder has imrpoved to 65% strength. Let’s hope for a big 80% next week when the Tribe return from a road trip.

Of course Jake Westbrook is the farthest away from returning. See ya next year Jack.. He’s gonna have a check-up with Dr. Yocum on Monday. Maybe he is travelling with the team.

As mentioned yesterday, Asdrubal Cabrera is returning from Triple A Buffalo. Eric Wedge felt it was time.

“We think he’s on the right path physically and he’s shown better fundamentals. He’s getting back to the player he needs to be. We’ll have some challenges for his playing time.” (Plain Dealer)

Wedge’s overall issue with Cabrera is his game-to-game preparations. He feels those don’t match up and it’s causing him to play bad.

“It’s about being in better overall condition that plays into his baseball game better,” Wedge said. “It’s just a matter of him having the discipline he needs to have daily to maintain that. He’s a young kid and still learning.” (Indians.com)

Jamey Carroll was respectful in knowing his time starting was up.

“I knew my situation,” said Carroll, hitting .268 on the year. “I knew I was not going to be there forever in the first place. From what I’ve seen he’s playing well and it’s good for him to be back up here. He’s a teammate and I want to see him play well.” (Plain Dealer)

Gotta love Sparkplug.

By the by, Wedge said that the Indians did nothing extra-ordinary against Tampa. They just executed. There ya go.

Terry Pluto outlines what the approach of the Tribe should be for the rest of the year. He says Asdrubal Cabrera should be the shortstop.

Minor League Update: Halama Throws Complete Game

If you are keeping count at home, The Tribe now has four players heading to the Olympics this year. T.J. Burton has joined in the fun for Team Canada. LaPorta and Stevens to represent the US and Burton and Weglarz to represent Canada.

You can watch Jeff Stevens’ interview about being selected to the US Olympic Team, Here.

Jeff Stevens’ Buffalo Squad returned from the break and it was a nice win for John Halama. Halama went the full 9 innings, giving up 8 hits, 2 runs and striking out 3. The Herd supported him with 10 runs, including a 3-5, 4 RBI night from Todd Linden. Jordan Brown hit a 2-run home run and Morgan Ensberg went 2-4 with a pair of RBI.

Akron, despite their winning ways was one of only two Tribe minor league teams in action last night that didn’t pick up a win. The Aeros pounded out 13 hits, but only managed to score 5 runs. Matt LaPorta did not play and will not rejoin the team until the weekend after a death in the family. Wyatt Toregas and Stephen Head had two hits apiece while Matt Whitney and Brandon Chaves each had three. Tony Sipp blew the save and gave up four runs. Not a good Akron debut for Sipp at all.

Akron will get a little bit of Fausto Fire Power on Saturday as Fausto Carmona will make his final rehab apperance. Great chance for the Akron folks to go check out Fausto throw 80 pitches.

Kinston absolutely rolled last night in a 11-1 win. Beau Mills went 1-5 knocking in two runs and Nick Weglarz went 2-3 with 3 runs scored. Carlos Rivero and Jason Denham both had three RBI, and catcher Alex Castillo went 2-4 with a pair of RBI.

That other team to lose last night was Lake County. Greenville had a walk-off winner in the 10th inning. Richard Martinez with a 3-5, thee RBI night.

Mahoning Valley pulled within one game of .500 with a win last night. Lonnie Chisenhall and Walter Diaz with two RBI each.

Abner Abreu had RBIs number 13 and 14 last night in the GCL team’s win. He leads the team.

Niuman Romero and his 20 game hit-streak are Tony Lastoria’s minor league player of the week. Romero is out for a few games with a suspension however. Make sure you check out the comparison he made in terms of what the Indians would have traded to get Sabathia. It opens some eyes.