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Re: General Discussion

6106 by J.R.
Brantley could begin BP on field by weekend

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | 4:54 PM ET

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Michael Brantley continues to check off positive milestones in his march toward a return to the Indians' lineup.

On Monday morning, manager Terry Francona noted that Brantley's scheduled checkup with Dr. Craig Morgan on Sunday went as well as Cleveland could have hoped. Morgan, who performed the left fielder's right shoulder surgery in November, cleared Brantley to continue his hitting progression, which could include batting practice on the field by this weekend.

"It was all according to plan, which is all good," Francona said. "There's no red flags, nothing. He just got a really good report."

There is still no clear timetable for Brantley to make his Cactus League debut, and the expectation remains that the left fielder's comeback could linger into early April.

Francona indicated that the Indians discussed having Brantley play the outfield (with no at-bats) in Monday's "B" game against the Reds, but the outfielder preferred to stick with his morning workout. The manager said the team was fine with that approach, considering how diligent Brantley has been with his rehab, defense and batting cage work each day.

"He's worked really hard in the mornings," Francona said. "I had talked to him about, 'Hey, when you come back, we don't want you to be slowed down, because your legs are sore or something.' So he's worked really hard to make sure that won't happen."

Other items of note from Monday morning:

• Right-hander Shawn Armstrong struck out two in one shutout inning of relief against the Reds on Thursday, but it is not clear when the reliever will make his next appearance. Francona noted that Armstrong is currently dealing with right lat tightness, though the issue is not considered serious.

"Last year at this time, he had a little bit of lat tightness," Francona said. "He ran into the same thing the other day. He ended up finishing the inning, but it's Spring Training. I'm not sure we're real big on somebody trying to throw through that. We can eliminate that very easily, so we'll probably bump him back a couple days."

• Right-hander Zach McAllister, who was sent home with flu-like symptoms on Sunday, was still dealing with the issue on Monday. Francona said McAllister was scheduled to be examined at the complex, but the pitcher was instructed to stay home and rest for the remainder of the day.

"He's lost a bunch of weight," Francona said. "Hopefully he doesn't spread it. And then we'll figure out when he can pop back in there, but he's going to have to get some strength back."

• Veteran third baseman Juan Uribe served as the designated hitter in a "B" game on Monday morning against the Reds on the eve of his planned Cactus League debut, going 1-for-4 with a sun-assisted single. Francona said that Uribe is slated to be the designated hitter against the Mariners in Tuesday's home game "if everything goes OK" with Monday's game.

• Up to this point, Francona has given his position players starts in Cactus League games on alternating days. The manager said this week he will begin playing some of his regulars in consecutive games as the team continues to build towards Opening Day.

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com.

Re: General Discussion

6113 by joez
Gosh Seagull ! Don't say that ! Trump may ask me to support his program to "build the wall" around my Latino winter ball sites to keep all of the druggies out of the states. :lol:
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller

Re: General Discussion

6116 by civ ollilavad
I think Lonnie Chisenhall finally had a job lined up coming to spring training this year. He's been doing a fine job playing right field but is down there with Zach Walters in the offensive ineptitude department. One single and hit by a pitch in 16 plate appearances. 2 strikeout are not bad. 3 GIDP are bad. [Make that 3 strikeouts after his first AB of Sunday. Hit the ball all the way to the 1st baseman his next time up. 1-17 now, OPS .170]

If Brantley actually could start the season with the team, Rajai Davis who hasn't hit either might get the RF job. At most Chisenhall leaves camp as part of a platoon.

Re: General Discussion

6118 by civ ollilavad
First cuts:



GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians made their first roster reductions of the spring, moving seven players prior to Monday's game against the Rangers.
Cleveland optioned right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger, left-handers Ryan Merritt and Shawn Morimando and utility player Zach Walters to Triple-A Columbus while optioning righty Dylan Baker to Double-A Akron and assigning righties Adam Plutko and Will Roberts to Minor League camp.

"In general, we told the group of Clevinger, Merritt, Morimando, Baker and Plutko that they're all starters," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "And we told them ... basically, that their seasons aren't going to be defined by their three or four Spring Training innings. "Part of the reason they got sent out today is that they've got to get stretched out."

All five in that group impressed Francona and the rest of the Cleveland coaching staff. Clevinger is ranked No. 7 among Indians prospects by MLBPipeline.com. Plutko is No. 15, Morimando is No. 16, Baker is No. 25 and Merritt is No. 28.

"I think, as a group, those five pitchers ... it's rare, I think, when you get the five least-experienced guys that we never once had to say anything about work or routines," Francona said. "They were really solid. And my guess is that when they go to the other side, that will continue." [Baker didn't get into a game, and I didn't read about him doing any throwing; he's recovering from season-ending injury suffered on opening day each of the last 2 seasons.]
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