Westbrook Looks Sharp
March 16, 2010
Jake Westbrook started and pitched 4 innings against the San Francisco Giants Tuesday in Goodyear, Arizona. The Tribe's opening day starter looked very good retiring the first 9 hitters in order. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits in the 4th inning before retiring the side on a patented ground ball double play. The results are not important in spring training but, getting Westbrook through the Cactus League schedule healthy is of the utmost importance. He has reported no problems thus far and it looks like he will be able to return to the same old ground ball machine he was before the elbow surgery sidelined him a year and a half ago.
Shin-Soo Choo also looks ready to pick up where he left off last season. He homered off Giants starter Tim Lincecum with one of his patented opposite field shots into the Indians bullpen.
Asdrubal Cabrera has been out of action the past several days with a sore groin but, Manny Acta told me that if it was the regular season Cabrera would not have missed any time. This is also very important for the Tribe because without him the Indians line-up is not the same.
Travis Hafner cleared the bases with a 3-run double and has been able to play without any limitations this spring. Hafner should be able to play every day this year and hopefully he will return to the run producer he has been in years past.
The only player MIA so far has been Russell Branyan. Acta still feels that Branyan will be ready for opening day in Chicago. He his hopeful that Branyan will be able to play in some games by the end of next week. Mark Shapiro says that Branyan was just finishing his rehab for a chronic back condition when the Indians signed him. Branyan's ability to make the opening day roster has a huge impact on the final make-up of the 25-man club. If he can't go then it opens a spot for Michael Brantley in left field otherwise look for Brantley to start the year at AAA Columbus.
We will be back on the air Thursday at 4pm EST when the Indians play the Cincinnati Reds in Goodyear, Arizona.
