Minor Issues: Mills hits 20th HR, Martinez Goes Deep in Rehab Game

Bryan Bullington got beat up pretty well in the Bisons loss to Pawtucket. Brad Snyder went 1-3 with a RBI and two runs scored.

Akron got beat up but that was hardly the story for the Aeros. Victor Martinez DHed and hit all four times. He went 2-4 with his FIRST HOME RUN OF THE YEAR! Yes his first, how nuts is that.

Meanwhile, the Aeros continue to just falter in the standings. Still hopes to the Wild Card but ya gotta pick it up Akron!

Beau Mills.. 2-4, number 20 on the year with 84 RBI, what a man. Kinston lost but they scored and Beau Mills is just awesome. Hector Rondon did go 6 plus but gave up five runs.

So-so start for Eric Berger in Lake County. He pitched 2.1 innings giving up just one run. That was the lone run against Lake County as they scored five to top Rome. Dustin Realini with 2 RBI and a 2-4 night for Matt Brown.

As if we didn’t know it already, Adam Miller’s season is over. I really think the bullpen is in his future.

Also the Indians didn’t spend as much as the Pirates or Red Sox did in draft pick signings.. Then again they picked 29th and don’t exactly spend a lot of money. But they still spent around $7 million.

Minor League Update: Adam Miller begins throwing, Chisenhall heating up

Late Night Edition of Minor League Update. Not sure if you can expect a Morning Update or not.. If not, I’ll return later in the day with a “What Could Have Been” featuring Jeremy Guthrie.

The Herd battled through a 90 minute rain delay only to lose to Syracuse. Jordan Brown returned to the lineup to knock in a pair of runs. John Halama surrendered 10 hits over his six innings up only gave up two earned runs. Jon Meloan took the loss as he gave up two runs, one earned, in 2.2 innings. Not sure why he’s pitching more than one inning.

I’m still trying to figure out how Wes Hodges got 2 at bats in the middle of the order, but he wasn’t walked or HBP. Either way, he knocked in two runs as the Aeros rolled over Erie 4-1. Damaso Espino in a rare apperance as the backup catcher went 1-4 with two runs batted in. That’s backup production! Ryan Edell pitched seven strong to give up just one run over three hits and two walks. Randy Newsome who was sent back down to Akron picked up save number 25. James Deters was released.

Kelvin De La Cruz got back on track at Kinston as they won their game. Cruzzy went 5 innings giving up just one earned and striking out six. Vinnie Pestano picked up save number 6. Beau Mills was finally silenced for once, but everyone around him wasn’t. Lucas Montero and Carlos Rivero (that rhymes) knocked in two apiece and Niuman Romero and Carlos Santero… okay I stretched it.. Carlos Santana knocked in one each. Matty McBride DHed again and knocked in a run going 2-4.

Big night for the Captains of Lake County. A 12-3 win over the Lexington Legends included three hit nights from Karexon Sanchez, Chris Nash, and Jeff Hehr. The top four hitters all knocked in two runs, Mark Thompson, Sanchez, Roman Pena, and Todd Martin.

Mahoning Valley fell to the division leading Jamestown again. Lonnie Chisenhall had a big night, going 2-3 with a pair of doubles and RBIs. Jeremie Tice knocked in a couple as well. Matt Langwell got roughed up in four innings.

Abner Abreu went 3-5 with an RBI for the GCL Indians, but they lost.

And now an Adam Miller update.

Miller’s finger is pain free as he is on a throwing program back at Winter Haven. He’ll go to Arizona Instructional League to rehab when he is ready. Wedge said he could be a closer. I think at this point in time, that would be the best option.

Adam Miller’s Season Likely Over

From Castro Turf:

“Top prospect Adam Miller’s Minor League season is conceivably over. According to head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff, Miller will be shut down from throwing for eight weeks after having surgery performed on the middle finger of his right throwing hand Tuesday. After eight weeks, Miller will begin a return-to-throw program in either Winter Haven or Goodyear, so the odds of him coming back in time to rejoin the Bisons are slim.” (CastroTurf)

That is a big blow. We’ve been waiting to see this guy in the big leagues for some time now, and this was gonna be the year, one way or another.

Miller’s potential is high, but if he continues to injure himself then his career is never going to get underway.

News and Notes: Miller on DL; Two Signed

So the Indians made a few moves today..

• Jorge Velandia and Todd Linden signed to minor league deals.

Velandia got a call up with the Blue Jays this year after they lost John McDonald and David Eckstein to injuries. He pretty much sucks with the bat.

Linden was with the A’s this year in Triple A. He has a little better bat than Velandia.

Both are on their way to Buffalo.

• Adam Miller is back on the DL…

Not good.. More finger trouble on his pitching hand. This is sort of Josh Beckett like blisters the fire baller is getting. We are gonna have to keep waiting and waiting to see if this kid can put together a healthy stretch of baseball.

Also Wedge is having trouble filling in the 2 and 5 spots on his roster. That’s been the two most prominent spots that he is having issues finding some consistency in. The 5th spot is one of the worst in the leagues in terms of production.

• Hafner was held out of the lineup on Monday because of shoulder soreness..

He is also getting a little angry, heres a quote from a story yesterday int he Plain Dealer.

“Anger? Yeah, there is some anger with ourselves,” said Hafner, whose offensive struggles (.217) have been well-chronicled. “Today was one we had to win, the way C.C. [Sabathia] and the bullpen pitched.

“You have to make your own breaks. The bottom line is we have to put up more consistent at-bats. Then you don’t have to look at one or two plays.” (Plain Dealer)

Let’s see if that anger starts to show.

Tribe Down Braves; Mastny/Julio Pitch

Sabathia Starts: Once again the season nears so pitchers are starting to take on more work. C.C. Sabathia pitched 6 innings of 3 run ball against the Braves today.

He gave up 8 hits and struck out three.

Regular Lineup: It was pretty much a regular game for the Tribe. They only used two subs and the only regular not playing was Travis Hafner. Garko was the DH while Victor played 1st and Shoppach did the catching. Jason Michaels played in left.

Offensively Asdrubal Cabrera was on base 4 times. He had two hits and two walks.

Peralta had a big two run double. Gutierrez, Garko, Michaels and Blake all knocked in runs.

Julio and Mastny: Everyone meanwhile had their eyes on the battle between Jorge Julio and Tom Mastny.

Mastny pitched in the last game but also in the one this afternoon.

Julio was the first one in and he pitched 2 innings of 1 hit baseball. He walked a few more but struck out three.

Mastny on the other hand worked only one inning. While he did earn the save he gave up a run. It brings his Spring ERA to 6.75, while Julio’s stands at 1.80.

Let’s not forget Scott Elarton who is in the mix. Eric Wedge said he expects to make a decision by Thursday before the Indians leave for an exhibition game in Atlanta.

Miller Makes Debut: Adam Miller made his debut this year. He pitched in a minor league intrasquad game.