Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo came to spring training as the favorite to win the starting job in right field. However, those plans could potentially be impacted by the seriousness of an elbow condition that was revealed shortly after Choo began play with the Korean team in the World Baseball Classic.
Expectations for Choo soared following his monster second half to the 2008 season. After spending the first half of the season on the disabled list, Choo batted .309 with 14 home runs and 66 RBI in 317 at-bats in the second half of the season. Choo missed the first half of the season as he completed his rehab from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in 2007. He showed no signs of the injury in the second half of the 2008 season.
However, as he began workouts with the Korean team in early March, Choo experienced discomfort in his elbow. It was not serious enough to prevent him from taking part in WBC games as the designated hitter in the Korean lineup.
Indians officials, meanwhile, were carefully monitoring the situation, hoping that there is nothing wrong with Choo's elbow that would sideline him for an extended period of time.
Should Choo not be able to play right field when he rejoins the team, the Indians' options at that position would include David Dellucci, Ben Francisco and perhaps even Mark DeRosa, who was acquired from the Cubs to play third base but also has experience playing in the outfield.
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