Wedge’s status uncertain for the slumping Indians

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Eric Wedge talked about center fielder Grady Sizemore’s return from the disabled list. He commented on Tony Sipp’s latest call-up to the Cleveland Indians’ bullpen and Asdrubal Cabrera’s rehabilitation assignment.

What the Indians manager didn’t discuss Tuesday before the start of what might be an important three-game interleague series in Pittsburgh was his own status.

With the Indians stuck in last place in the AL Central, Wedge’s status is becoming a daily topic of discussion among the team’s fans. Of more concern to Wedge, general manager Mark Shapiro is expected to talk about Wedge with Indians president Paul Dolan and team owner Larry Dolan, if he already hasn’t, in the next few days.

Shapiro, who hired Wedge in 2002, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Sunday he wants to retain the manager. However, the Indians — only 29-42 after 71 games — probably can’t afford to keep piling on the losses.

Expected to be a contender, the Indians went into Tuesday night’s game against the last-place Pirates 10 games behind AL Central leader Detroit. Another bad series or two might be hard for Wedge to explain away.

The Indians carried a six-game losing streak with them to Pittsburgh. The Pirates were coming off a 1-5 road trip to Minnesota and Colorado, but entered Tuesday night’s game with the better record of the two struggling teams at 31-38.

“It’s been one of those years, that’s for sure,” said Wedge, who is in his seventh season and is signed through 2010.

Wedge was referring to the Indians’ numerous injuries, but he could have been talking about their performance. Their attendance also is a concern. Despite an $81 million payroll, the Indians are only 10th in the American League in attendance with 777,853 fans in 35 home games, well off the pace of two years ago, when Cleveland drew 2,275,916 for the season.

Both Dolans were in Chicago over the weekend when the Cubs swept the Indians in a three-game series, winning in their final at-bat against former Cubs closer Kerry Wood on Saturday after tying the game in the ninth inning against Wood on Friday. The Indians have 13 blown saves and have lost 10 games in an opponent’s final at-bat.

Wedge is hoping Sizemore’s return will give the offense a lift at the top of the order. Sizemore, hitting second on Tuesday night, had been out since May 31 with an inflamed left elbow.

“We’re going to take it day by day and work it from there,” Wedge said.

Bothered by soreness in his elbow since training camp, Sizemore was batting .223 with nine homers and 31 RBIs in 49 games before going on the DL for the first time in his career.

The Indians optioned center fielder Trevor Crowe to Triple-A Columbus.