CLEVELAND – The prognosis is positive for two of the Indians’ high-profiled players on the disabled list – first baseman Russell Branyan (herniated disk lower back) and closer Kerry Wood (strained muscle upper back).
Branyan had his rehab assignment transferred from Triple-A Columbus to Double-A Akron, where he was in the lineup at first base Friday.
Cleveland’s marquee offseason acquisition has yet to play in consecutive rehab games, which manager Manny Acta said he wants to see before activating the slugger.
Branyan went 4-for-14 with two doubles and an RBI in four rehab games for Columbus.
“He’s very close,” Acta said. “He could be joining us pretty soon.”
When he does, the Indians are going to have to make a decision at first base, where Matt LaPorta has been filling in for Branyan.
Wood is farther away from leaving the injured list, but Acta said he is still on track after throwing a bullpen session Thursday. The right-hander is scheduled to throw another bullpen today.
If things go well, Acta said Wood would pitch in a simulated game next week.
Because he is primarily a one-inning pitcher, Wood most likely won’t need a rehab assignment before joining the Indians.
Peralta’s problems
Jhonny Peralta is off to another one of his notoriously slow starts at the plate and doesn’t have a real good explanation for the season-starting slumps.
“Sometimes it’s because it’s too cold. I don’t like to hit in cold,” said Peralta, who entered Friday batting .148 with a home run and four RBIs. “I don’t have a reason. I’m not looking for excuses. I know they’re waiting for me to start good. Hopefully, everything will turn around really soon. It’s really early. We’ll see what happens.”
Peralta, one of the few seasoned veterans in Cleveland’s lineup, admitted to feeling some pressure to start producing.
“I know it’s important because they need me,” he said. “I’m one of the guys that’s going to see a lot of guys on base. I’m one of the guys they need to drive in runs.”
Clutch hitter
Shin-Soo Choo’s penchant for late-game heroics has continued this season. Entering Friday, Choo had six hits, including two homers, in 11 at-bats in the seventh inning or later.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Choo’s .328 batting average from the seventh inning on last year was the seventh-highest in the American League for players with at least 150 at-bats in the situation.
“He’s just a good player, period,” Acta said. “When you’re talented, you have a better chance to succeed than the rest.”
The catch
Though backup catcher Mike Redmond has impressive career numbers against Chicago starter Mark Buehrle – 16-for-37 – Lou Marson was behind the plate Friday.
“We need to play Lou Marson. He’s our starting catcher,” Acta said. “If I went with the match-ups, Lou would never play, because he hasn’t faced any of these guys.”
Marson was the victim on Buehrle’s highlight play in Chicago, losing a base hit when Buehrle fielded a grounder that ricocheted off his leg and, from foul territory down the first-base line, flipped the ball between his legs with his glove to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Look out
A fan seated a few rows behind the Indians dugout was struck above the right eye by LaPorta’s bat after LaPorta lost his lumber when he swung and missed at a third strike in the second inning.
Members of the medical staff attended to the fan and ushered him out of his seat shortly after.
Minor details
Class A Lake County remained the only unbeaten team (8-0) in minor league baseball with a 6-4 victory over Lansing on Thursday. Bo Greenwell stayed hot, going 2-for-5 with an inside-the-park homer and five RBIs. He entered Friday with 10 RBIs in his last three game, batting .433 (13-for-30) on the season.
• Columbus catcher Carlos Santana, Cleveland’s top prospect, was named International League batter of the week over the first week of the season, and entered Friday hitting .423 (11-for-26) with four homers and eight RBIs in his first seven games.
Roundin’ third
Slumping left fielder Michael Brantley (.192 in seven games) was out of the lineup for the second straight game and was replaced by veteran Austin Kearns (.286 in four games).
• David Huff’s complete game against the Rangers on Thursday was the first in the American League this year. The left-hander has 12 victories over the first 25 starts of his big-league career.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
