GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Competing for a spot in the rotation out of spring training has not been kind to Aaron Laffey.
The left-hander was in the running for a starting job the past two springs, and lost out both times. The first was a battle with eventual American League Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee in 2008, and he lost again last year to unheralded lefty Scott Lewis.
“It seems like I’m always trying to win a job,” said Laffey, who did not pitch Monday in the Indians’ 5-4 loss to the Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park. “But I don’t try to rehash the past. This year, my main focus is what I have to do to get ready for the season.”
However Laffey slices it, he’s competing for a job during the exhibition season again. This time it’s for one of two open spots against fellow lefty David Huff, who led the Indians with 11 wins as a rookie last year, and Mitch Talbot, a right-hander acquired in an offseason trade with Tampa Bay for catcher Kelly Shoppach.
All three have performed well, but there have been rough spots.
Laffey started the spring with consecutive scoreless outings, then allowed four earned runs on five hits and three walks in 22/3 innings Sunday in a 5-3 loss to the Padres. Huff was shelled Monday, allowing five runs on eight hits over 31/3 innings of a scheduled four-inning outing.
“It’s not an outing-to-outing race or a week-to-week thing,” said manager Manny Acta. “This is a whole spring training competition.”
Laffey’s track record figures to count for something.
Though he has never begun the season in the Cleveland rotation, Laffey has filled in adequately over the past three years. He made 19 starts (25 appearances) in 2009 after Lewis suffered a season-ending injury in his first outing, posting a 7-9 record and 4.44 ERA.
“I’ve shown everything I can over the last couple years,” said the 24-year-old Laffey. “I just need to be more consistent. That’s what (the Indians) told me and I agree 100 percent.”
The Indians experimented with Laffey as a reliever last year, and if he doesn’t win one of the jobs this spring, he could fill that role again. The same can be said for Talbot, with Laffey (two) and Huff (three) still owning minor league options while Talbot does not.
Laffey’s struggles with command last year – 57 walks compared to 59 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings – forced him out of the rotation and into the bullpen. He said he has changed the grip on his two-seam fastball (sinker) for more command of his out pitch.
Laffey contemplated doing the same last year as he struggled with walks.
“I didn’t want to change it during the season, and then all of a sudden create another problem for myself,” he said. “I just have to let the ball work. There’s definitely trouble I can get into trying to pick or trying to make it move. It’s going to move on its own.
“The bottom line is that I have to aim for the strike zone more than I did last year.”
That is a prerequisite for a pitcher on Acta’s staff. The new manager has stressed throwing first-pitch strikes and working ahead in the count since the start of camp.
“We were one of the worst teams in the big leagues in walking guys,” Laffey said. “That’s why they’re stressing it so much.”
Injury updates
Acta told reporters in Maryvale that closer Kerry Wood did not throw a bullpen session Monday and that the right-hander would also not make his scheduled exhibition appearance Wednesday. Wood is still dealing with soreness in his right lat muscle.
… Left-hander Jeremy Sowers is scheduled to make his exhibition debut Thursday against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Sowers fell out of the rotation race with left shoulder soreness and is expected to start the season on the disabled list.
… Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (strained left groin) has been taking dry swings but is not expected to return to Cactus League action until the end of the week at the earliest.
Reduction roundup
The Indians reduced their spring training roster by four players, optioning LHP Kelvin De La Cruz to Double-A Akron and reassigning right-handers Jason Grilli, Zach Putnam and Alex White to minor leaguer camp.
Grilli, who had a chance to make Cleveland’s bullpen, is recuperating from surgery on a torn right quadriceps.
White, the Indians’ first-round draft pick (15th overall) last year, appeared in two exhibition games, pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing two walks.
Next up
Today, 4:05 p.m., SportsTime Ohio vs. San Francisco at Goodyear Ballpark. Jake Westbrook (0-0, 9.64) vs. RHP Tim Lincecum (0-1, 9.82).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
