INDIANS NOTEBOOK | From Jacobs Field

Mighty Casey: Casey Blake can't remember swinging a hotter bat. On Monday, the Cleveland Indians' third baseman was named the AL's player of the week from June 30 to July 6 after batting .375 (12-for-32) with four homers and a league-high 14 RBIs. Following a slow start, Blake, who signed a minor league contract with the Indians as a free agent in December, has been on a tear. Entering Tuesday night's series opener against the New York Yankees, the 29-year-old was batting .361 (26-for-72) with six homers and 19 RBIs in his last 18 games to raise his average to .269. "I think it's just a matter of confidence," Blake said. "Earlier this season, I might have gotten caught up in making the team and all that stuff." Blake was the surprise of Cleveland's spring training camp when he led the club in batting average and won the starting job at third. However, he struggled during the first two months of the season before finding his groove in early June. "I kind of lost that feeling at the plate like I had in spring training," said Blake, who was buried in Minnesota's minor-league system before being granted his free agency after last season. "My approach wasn't as good. I'm at the point in my career, when I get some confidence, I need to keep it." Blake said bench coach Buddy Bell offered him some valuable advice while he was struggling. "He told me, 'Don't be afraid to fail,' " Blake said. "He said, 'Stick with it.' " Blake capped his big week by going 5-for-5 with two homers and seven RBIs against the Twins, who had him two different times in a three-year span. Blake, however, was unable to get past Triple-A because the Twins were set with Corey Koskie at third. "They knew I could play at Triple-A," Blake said. "But I think they had their doubts about me. They never called me up when they needed me, only when someone got hurt." Indians manager Eric Wedge has been a big Blake fan from the beginning. "Casey is a prime example of what a player can do by working and never giving up," Wedge said. "He's been there defensively for us all season, but has worked very hard offensively and it is paying off. It is good to see." During his 5-for-5 game, Blake said his agent, Jim McDowell, left a congratulatory message on his cell phone. McDowell made the call when Blake had four hits and didn't know Blake came up in the ninth and hit a three-run homer. "I called him back, and he still didn't know," Blake said. "We hung up and he called back 10 minutes later saying he didn't know I had gotten that last at-bat."
Injuries: Right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez will likely be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin and said he may be out for as long as a month. Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on July 2 after going 3-9 with a 5.73 ERA in 15 starts. He initially hurt his groin going after a grounder in a loss to Kansas City on June 26. Rodriguez said he reaggravated the injury during a start for the Bisons on Sunday. "All I can do is put ice and they told me to shut it down for three to four weeks," he said. "Other than that, I don't know. They haven't said anything to me." Rodriguez will remain in Cleveland to get treatment. Wedge said outfielder Jody Gerut and infielder John McDonald have shown progress in recovering from injuries. McDonald has been on the DL since June 30 with back spasms.
Suspensions: Wedge is still waiting to hear if any of his players will be suspended following a benches-clearing incident last weekend in Minnesota. Wedge was one of five ejected in the skirmish, which started with Cleveland's Jason Davis throwing inside at Torii Hunter. The Indians and Twins have been at odds the past two years. After taking exception to Davis' offering, Hunter headed toward the mound while yelling at the rookie right-hander.