CLEVELAND – As of now, struggling right-hander Justin Masterson (0-5, 6.13 ERA) remains in the Indians’ rotation.
“We’re still evaluating the situation and the choices that we have,” said manager Manny Acta. “We haven’t given it much thought.”
Masterson, Cleveland’s third starter, was the loser in a 7-2 loss to the White Sox on Monday, allowing five runs on nine hits over just four innings. It was his 11th straight defeat dating back to last year, with Masterson winning just once in 19 starts since joining the rotation in 2009.
“Regardless of the struggles, he’s the only guy in our rotation that strikes guys out,” said Acta of Masterson, who has fanned 46 batters in nine starts (47 innings), and 8.8 per nine innings (eighth-best among American League starters).
His high strikeout and low home run (4) totals, coupled with his inability to handle left-handed hitters (.386 average against), seem to make Masterson a better fit in the bullpen, where he spent the majority of his tenure with Boston before arriving in a trade last year for Victor Martinez.
But the Indians valued Masterson more as a starter and Acta agreed with the decision.
“I liked what I saw in spring training,” Acta said. “With all the talk about Jake (Westbrook) and Fausto (Carmona) coming back, I felt like he could be the dark horse in our rotation. Unfortunately, it hasn’t translated into that.
“You can’t ignore the fact that he can be tough when he has command of his pitches.”
Should the Indians choose to return Masterson to the bullpen, his most likely replacement would be reliever Aaron Laffey (0-1, 3.70 ERA), who has made 44 starts for Cleveland over the past three seasons.
Still waiting
Acta provided no update on injured centerfielder Grady Sizemore (deep bone bruise left knee), just that he continues to visit doctors in pursuit of the best course of treatment. Surgery remains an option for Sizemore, who has been sidelined since May 17.
“Anytime an injury like that involves any of your players, you have to be worried about it,” Acta said. “Hopefully, the doctors don’t find it as serious as people think it is.”
Acta said he expects head trainer Lonnie Soloff to provide an update on Sizemore later this week.
Draft days
The Indians own the fifth overall selection in the First-Year Player Draft (June 7-9), their highest pick since taking former reliever Paul Shuey with the second overall choice in 1992. Cleveland also owns the 55th (second round) and 87th (third round) overall picks.
“Obviously, we understand the importance of the first-round pick,” said director of amateur scouting Brad Grant. “We do feel like this year’s draft is a deep draft, and it’s our job to infuse as much talent as we can into this organization. Major league talent comes all through the draft.”
Grant said the strength of the draft is pitching, namely high school right-handers, but the Indians won’t necessarily zero in on that talent pool with their first pick. Money won’t be an issue, as it has been with the low-budget team in the past.
“We’re going to take the best player available,” Grant said. “Everybody’s going to be in play for us this year.”
Baseball America’s mock draft has the Indians taking either University of Arkansas third baseman Zack Cox or Florida Gulf Coast University LHP Chris Sale.
Former Cleveland third baseman and current Class A Mahoning Valley manager, Travis Fryman, will represent the Indians at the draft in Secaucus, NJ.
Minor details
Triple-A Columbus catcher Carlos Santana entered Tuesday leading the International League with a .440 on-base percentage. He ranked third in the IL with 39 RBIs in 43 games through Monday. … Advanced Class A Kinston played a 15-inning marathon Monday against Potomac, winning 10-6 on a grand slam from third baseman Kyle Bellows in the 15th.
Roundin’ third
The Indians have rescheduled the postponed game against the Tigers on May 7 as the day game (1:05 p.m.) in a day/night doubleheader with Detroit on July 17. Fans can use their May 7 tickets for the day game or (prior to July 17) any other Indians game subject to availability. … Catcher Lou Marson entered Tuesday having thrown out 10 of the 31 (32.3 percent) runners attempting to steal off him. It ranked second in the AL behind Baltimore’s Matt Wieters’ 34.8 percent. … Today, 12:05, No television/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM. Jake Westbrook (2-2, 4.56) vs. Mark Buehrle (3-5, 4.55).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
