Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Demoted: Jeriome Robertson's stock has dropped like a wicked curveball. Robertson, who won 15 games as a rookie last season for the Houston Astros, was designated for assignment on Tuesday after four forgettable months in the Indians' organization. "He really never got it going this year," said Cleveland manager Eric Wedge. No kidding. In eight appearances for the Indians, Robertson went 1-1 with a 12.21 ERA. Last season, he was 15-9 with the Astros, winning more games than any other NL rookie. Wedge can't explain what happened to the left-hander, acquired in a March 31 trade. "I didn't see him last year," he said. "But he's a guy who has shown some signs of being able to succeed at this level. He was deceptive at times." He certainly fooled the Indians, who gave up minor league outfielder Luke Scott and the rights to outfielder Willy Taveras. Taveras was selected to play in the Future's Game during the All-Star break earlier this month.
Robertson rarely clocked higher than the mid-80s with his fastball and struggled with just about every aspect of his game. The Indians have 10 days to trade, release or outright Robertson to the minor leagues.
Hafner out: DH Travis Hafner was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup because of a strained neck. Hafner hurt himself while swinging during his final at-bat in Monday night's 13-4 loss to Detroit when he flied out to left in the seventh inning. Wedge said X-rays were negative and he expects to have Hafner back for tonight's game. "I'm hoping," Wedge said. "He's tough." Hafner probably could have played Tuesday, but the Indians didn't want to take any chances. "He's able to swing," Wedge said. "But he's not able to cut it loose." Wedge juggled his lineup by putting Matt Lawton at DH and starting Coco Crisp in left field. Crisp made a sensational leaping catch in the second inning, climbing the wall to rob Nook Logan of extra bases. He hit a grand slam in the bottom of the inning to put Cleveland ahead 5-1. Hafner has been the Indians' best hitter all month, batting .372 (29-for-78) with eight homers and 27 RBIs. He entered Tuesday night with 76 RBIs -- second most in the AL.
Over the cliff: The Indians aren't too worried about Cliff Lee's second straight poor outing. Lee didn't get through the first inning on Monday night, giving up six runs and six hits to the Tigers. "Everybody is making a big deal of it," Wedge said. "Cliff is going to be all right. In 35 starts in a year, you're going to have a few days." The Indians will give Lee an extra day off -- and maybe two -- before his next scheduled start.
"If you give a guy a couple extra days, especially after a tough outing, that's a good thing," Wedge said.
Baselines: Designating Robertson allowed the Indians to activate lefty Brian Tallet from the 60-day disabled list and option him to Double-A Akron. Tallet underwent reconstructive elbow surgery last Aug. 26 and has appeared in 10 minor league games. ... Kaz Tadano will start on Saturday in Kansas City, filling Lee's regular spot in the rotation. The Indians haven't named a starter for Sunday.
Associated Press