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Tribe notes: Healthy Grady swings hot bat

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Grady Sizemore looked healthy Wednesday at Goodyear Ballpark.

The Indians’ center fielder, who is coming off an injury-plagued year and two offseason surgeries (left elbow and groin), was at the forefront of Cleveland’s 10-5 victory over the Padres. He clouted a grand slam to power a nine-run fourth inning and singled in his other official at-bat, while walking once and scoring two runs.

“There hasn’t been any doubt,” Cleveland manager Manny Acta said of Sizemore’s health. “None of (the previous injuries) are bothering him right now.”

It was Sizemore’s second appearance this spring. He also played in the exhibition opener Friday, going 1-for-3 with a two-run double.

Sizemore struggled to a career-low .248 batting average in 106 games last year. He played with the elbow injury for much of the season before he was shut down Sept. 3.

Huff’s stuff

Left-hander David Huff was extended to three innings in his start Wednesday, allowing a run on three hits and a walk.

“I felt great,” said Huff, who has allowed a run on five hits and has struck out three in two starts (five innings). “I kind of wanted to go another (inning).”

Huff, who led Cleveland with 11 wins last year, is in a battle with left-hander Aaron Laffey and righty Mitch Talbot for the final two spots in the rotation.

“Everybody’s good in their own way,” he said. “Right now it’s a big competition. Everybody’s pitching well right now. I’m focusing on what I’m doing. I can’t worry about what they’re doing. They’re going to do what they do.”

Laffey has allowed no runs and one hit in two appearances (one start), covering four innings. Talbot, who is scheduled to make his first start today, has pitched once (two innings) and allowed two hits.

First time

It took Travis Hafner three games but he got his first hit Wednesday — a line-drive single to right to start the uprising in the fourth. He went 1-for-2 with a walk. It was Hafner’s third appearance after going 0-for-4 with two walks in his first two games.

Brown surgery

First baseman/outfielder Jordan Brown underwent successful surgery on his right knee Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic.

Brown, who led the International League (Triple-A) with a .336 batting average, is expected to miss the next 4-8 weeks. He was a long shot to make the 25-man roster as an extra outfielder.

Signing times

The Indians have come to terms with all of the members of their 40-man roster, signing the remaining 32 players Wednesday. Some of the bigger names signed include shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, infielder/outfielder Matt LaPorta, RHP Justin Masterson, RHP Chris Perez, LHP Rafael Perez and second baseman Luis Valbuena.

Local flavor

North Olmsted grad Adam Russell, a right-handed reliever for the Padres, worked a scoreless seventh inning, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts.

Russell, 26, appeared in 15 games for the Padres last year after coming over in a trade with the White Sox for Jake Peavy, going 3-1 with a 3.65 ERA.

He was a sixth-round draft pick of Chicago’s in 2004.

Steroid suspension

Outfielder Steven Lebron, a Cleveland minor leaguer in the Dominican Summer League, was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a banned substance (Boldenone metabolite). Lebron was signed in January. The Indians voided his contract at no cost.

Roundin’ third

Indians owner Larry Dolan attended Wednesday’s game.

The Indians have added a ‘B’ game to their schedule, taking on the Reds in Goodyear on Sunday. LHP Kelvin DeLaCruz, one of the Indians’ top pitching prospects will start.

Today, Indians at White Sox (The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch), 3:05, No TV; WEOL 930-AM. Mitch Talbot (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Freddy Garcia (0-00, 4.50).

Indians (5-0) 10, Padres (1-5) 5

Hits

  • Center fielder Grady Sizemore had a big game, going 2-for-2 with a grand slam, four RBIs, a walk and two runs.
  • Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo was 2-for-3 and drove in Cleveland’s first run in the opening inning with a double.
  • Left fielder Trevor Crowe went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run.
  • Closer Kerry Wood faced the minimum in the fourth inning and stuck out one.

Misses

  • Reliever Frank Herrmann allowed three of the Padres’ runs on four hits in his only inning of work in the sixth.
  • First baseman Andy Marte struck out twice in two official at-bats.

Notable

  • Batting around and around: The Indians had 10 straight hitters reach base against two pitchers in a nine-run fourth inning.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.



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