The Indians went 3-4 on a trip to Kansas City and New York and returned home for their first extended homestand of the season. Their biggest challenge is getting their pitching in order. The starting rotation remains inconsistent, but the bullpen has been a bigger problem. Veterans such as LHP Rafael Perez, RHP Jensen Lewis and RHP Rafael Betancourt have struggled. The struggles of those setup men, in particular, resulted in closer Kerry Wood getting only one save situation in the first two weeks of the season.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Fausto Carmona, who gave up a home run to 1B Justin Morneau in the fourth inning Friday, has now given up at least one home run in each of his four starts. Carmona has yet to pitch more than six innings in any of his starts.
--RHP Carl Pavano, who had a disastrous beginning to this season, giving up nine runs in one inning in his first start, was much better in his next two starts: a 3.75 ERA. On Saturday, Pavano will make his fourth start of the season, but only his second career start versus the Twins.
--OF Ben Francisco was 0-for-3 Friday, dropping his average in 55 career at bats versus Minnesota to .182.
--RHP Kerry Wood brings a new dimension to the Indians as their new closer: a power arm. Not since RHP Jose Mesa was closing games in the mid-1990s have the Indians had the power arm in the closer's role that they do now with Wood. In Thursday's 5-2 win over Kansas City, Wood picked up his third save and struck out two of the three batters he faced. Wood has 11 strikeouts in just 5 1/3 innings.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Scott Lewis (strained left elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He is unlikely to return before mid-May.
INF Jamey Carroll (broken left hand) went on the 15-day disabled list April 6. He will be out four to six weeks, but he won't need surgery.
OF David Dellucci (left calf strain) went on the 15-day disabled list March 30. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Columbus on April 20.
RHP Jake Westbrook (Tommy John surgery in June 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 26. He hopes to be pitching in the big leagues again by midseason.
ROTATION:
LHP Cliff Lee
RHP Fausto Carmona
RHP Carl Pavano
RHP Anthony Reyes
LHP Aaron Laffey
BULLPEN:
RHP Kerry Wood (closer)
RHP Rafael Betancourt
LHP Rafael Perez
RHP Jensen Lewis
RHP Joe Smith
RHP Masa Kobayashi
LHP Tony Sipp
RHP Vinnie Chulk
CATCHERS:
Victor Martinez
Kelly Shoppach
INFIELDERS:
1B Ryan Garko
2B Asdrubal Cabrera
SS Jhonny Peralta
3B Mark DeRosa
DH Travis Hafner
INF Tony Graffanino
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Ben Francisco
CF Grady Sizemore
RF Shin-Soo Choo
OF Trevor Crowe
