Just In From the Desert

Holy Schinkes!  14 hits?  Acta left Mitch Talbot in to give up 7 runs on 14 hits.  Manny must really not give a crap about spring performance.  I understand stretching your starter out and getting work in, but really?  Talbot (8.61 ERA) pitched effectively through 5 innings, scattering 7 hits and allowing 2 runs.  Then, the wheels came screaming off of the axles.  7 of the first 8 hitters reached in the 6th, sandwiched around a Carlos Gomez slam and still Talbot lingered on the mound.  One would hope that this latest start is not indicative of future regular season performance, but Mitch's spring efforts are certainly cause for some concern.  Acta seems to agree as he announced yesterday that Talbot would slot as the #5 man in the rotation behind Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, Carlos Carrasco and Josh Tomlin.

Travis Hafner homered!  After a power outage that had reached 51 plate appearances, Pronk launched a solo shot to dead center in the 8th.  This is heartening news to those of us who are wary of Hafner's recent Duane Kuiper impression.  Penciled in as the #5 hitter, Travis will need to show more pop if he hopes to remain there for the duration.

Utility IF Battle:  After an 0-for-1 day, Cord Phelps (.217) was reassigned to the minor league camp and is out of contention.  With Jack Hannahan (.386) officially earning the starting nod at third; Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena, & Adam Everett are vying for the utility job.  Everett (.324) has made a strong push with the bat and, if the sidebar is to believed, needs to be in the field for the Indians.  He is, however, a long shot.  I feel that Luis Valbuena (.239, 1-4, RBI, played 3B & SS) is a much better choice than Jayson Nix (.167), but, then again, I'm not paid for my opinion.

Backup Backstop:  No one did themselves any favors against the Brewers and I still consider Paul Phillps (.407, 0-1, K) to be the leader.  Lou Marson (.143) was 0-for-3 with a strikeout and would benefit from more AAA at bats.  The Tribe will likely carry all three #2s through the Wednesday exhibition game against Columbus and then leave two of them there.

Who's Hot:  Asdrubal Cabrera (.409, 1.185 OPS, 4 SB, 6 RBI) has not stopped hitting all spring.

Who's Not:  Talbot has allowed 47 baserunners in 23 innings over his 6 starts.

Josh Tomlin takes the rubber 03.26 @ 10:05p.