Unbelievable.
There is news, though. After struggling with his command (94 pitches, 56 strikes) over four fitful innings (5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K), Zach McAllister has been optioned back to AAA Columbus. Luis Valbuena has been recalled in his stead. This will be Valbuena's second stint with the big club this season, though his first trip lasted about 24-hours and did not include any game time. Luis has put up some big numbers at AAA in 2011 and the Indians would like nothing more than for him to inject a bit of pop into the lineup. Look for him there tomorrow.
There is also not news. While I fully expect Lonnie Chisenhall to spend 15 days on the DL with the "facial contusion" he sustained from a Carlos Villenueva fastball to the skull, no decision will be made until he sees a specialist at noon on Friday. Clearly, if the Chiz Kid, who clubbed his first MLB homer on Wednesday, does land on the disabled list, Jason Donald will join the squad in his place, but this has not happened yet. It will likely not happen until late afternoon tomorrow at the earliest, but it will happen. Write it down.
If you are an observant little sucker, you noticed that Alex White has been in the Indians dugout this week. Most noticeably, he was onscreen during the congratulatory hand slapping that followed Wednesday's win over the Yankees. White, sidelined since late May with a strained ligament in his right middle finger, will throw from 120 feet tomorrow and, if all goes well, should be throwing off of a mound following the all-star break. Given the original prognosis of an 8-12 week recovery, Alex seems to be right on track. Barring any setbacks, we will the young starter back in big league games before the end of the season.
I was asked today, "Whatever happened to Andy Marte?" Andy is playing AAA ball in the Pirates organization and doing so poorly. Marte (.210) is currently hitting .114 over his last 35 AB's and has, on several occasions this season, been removed from the Indianapolis roster to accommodate more productive players.
Go watch the video again. And enjoy another day in first place.
Cheers.
