Indians keep Dice-K, Capps

By Sheldon Ocker

Akron Beacon Journal

GOODYEAR, Ariz.

Daisuke Matsuzaka and Matt Capps agreed to new minor-league contracts binding them to the Indians for at least a little while longer.

“I was hoping that would happen,” Indians manager Terry Francona said Tuesday. “Capps has been a professional reliever for a long time. And I reminded Dice-K yesterday that he’s two years removed from Tommy John surgery, There’s no reason why he can’t be the Dice-K who won 18 games.

“His delivery is the same, but his velocity is not quite what it was. But I don’t see why it can’t be.”

Unless Matsuzaka regains the life on his fastball, he is likely to remain no higher than eighth on the Tribe’s depth chart of starting pitchers.

Backing up the major-league rotation, Carlos Carrasco will pitch at Columbus waiting for a chance to be recalled.

Following him, despite his youth and inexperience, Trevor Bauer has the highest upside of any starter in the Tribe’s farm system. He needs to improve his command of the strike zone so as not to run up his pitch count.

All three pitchers will be in the Triple-A rotation.

Capps is a former closer who was stymied last year by a shoulder strain. He seems to be healthy again, but he might need a little more time to build up his arm strength. If he does that, he will be a prime candidate for promotion if anyone in the bullpen gets hurt or falls into a slump.

McAllister ready

Zach McAllister didn’t make any statements in his final start of spring training, but he looks ready to compete when the regular season starts on Tuesday in Toronto.

In 52/3 innings, McAllister gave up five runs, eight hits and two walks, striking out three and throwing a wild pitch, as the Tribe lost 7-6 in 10 innings to the Athletics at Goodyear Ballpark.

“He had good life on his fastball,” Francona said, “but I think it took him three innings to find his breaking pitch. He was frustrated in the game he pitched in the minors last week, and in his next side he let it go, and I think that helped.”

More than half of the Indians’ lineup was composed of minor leaguers in deference to the regulars, who played a night game on Monday. Ryan Raburn, who officially earned a spot on the roster Monday, hit his fifth home run of the spring with nobody on leading off the fourth inning.

Good news

Chris Perez (strained oblique) pitched the seventh inning, striking out one and throwing a double-play ball after an error allowed a batter to reach.

“He looked real good,” Francona said. “Chris told me he felt a little rusty. But the ball was coming out of his hand really good. He probably was the highlight of the day.”

What can he say?

After Brett Myers gave up 10 runs and 14 hits against the Rockies on Monday night, Francona continued to express confidence in him.

He saw no reason to change on Tuesday.

“I think when a guy is a veteran and he has a baseball card, you put your faith in him,” the manager said. “When next Tuesday (Opening Day) comes, nobody will remember spring training ERAs or batting averages.”

Myers came into Monday’s start with a 7.11 ERA and left after 31/3 innings with an 11.25 ERA.

Cabrera remains idle

Asdrubal Cabrera (back spasms) was scheduled to take batting practice Tuesday, but Francona and head trainer Lonnie Soloff called it off.

“We’ll probably keep him away from any form of hitting for one more day,” the manager said.

Marching onward

The Indians travel to Glendale to play the White Sox this afternoon. Carlos Carrasco will start against Matt Zaleski. The game will be aired by the MLB Network at 3 p.m.

BLUE JAYS TOP PIRATES

DUNEDIN, Fla.

Rajai Davis and Adam Lind hit solo home runs, helping the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

With the score tied at 3, Davis led off the bottom of the fourth inning with his third spring home run. Lind opened the sixth with his second exhibition shot.

Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero gave up two earned runs on six hits and three walks in 4 1-3 innings.

Pirates starter Jonathan Sanchez allowed four runs and seven hits in 42/3 innings. The left-hander struck out six and walked one, and also hit a double.