CLEVELAND — Kerry Wood (blister right index finger) will make a minor league rehab appearance for Double-A Akron tonight. If things go well, the right-hander’s next step will be to rejoin the Indians bullpen.
“We’re still going to have to see after the outing in Akron how the finger reacts,” said manager Manny Acta. “He’s going to be activated in Toronto (Friday-Sunday) if everything is OK.”
“I’m not going to put the cart before the horse, but (today) is the next step,” said Wood, who is expected to pitch one inning for the Aeros. “It’s tough with anything on your hand or arm. If it was a blister on my toe, it would be all right. It’s hard dealing with it but it is what it is.”
Though Acta said he would pitch Wood in non-save situations for a spell upon activation from the injured list, the manager said Wood is still the closer. “We haven’t got that far yet,” Wood said.
Right-hander Chris Perez, Cleveland’s closer in waiting, has bounced back and forth between the closer and setup role, posting a 2.23 ERA in 42 games, while converting 10 of his 13 save opportunities (five straight).
“He’s done a good job handling it,” Acta said. “He’s a bright kid. He understands you can blow the game in the eighth (inning) too. It’s pretty much crunch time in both innings.”
Perez has not allowed a run in 11 1 / 3 innings (12 games), a season-high consecutive innings scoreless streak by an Indians pitcher.
“I’m very confident right now,” Perez said. “I know, as long as I throw strikes, I have a great chance to be successful.”
Reyes roundup
Right-hander Anthony Reyes took another stride to returning from Tommy John surgery Tuesday, pitching three shutout innings, while allowing one hit and striking out one in three innings of Akron’s 4-0 win over Bowie.
It was Reyes’ third rehab outing after making two for Cleveland’s Arizona League team.
“He’s feeling good and upbeat,” Acta said. “It’s the next step.
Hopefully things continue to progress this way.”
When Reyes is ready, Acta said he would join the Indians as a September call-up or before.
Tomlin’s time
Josh Tomlin made a brilliant big league debut for the Indians on Tuesday, getting the win over the Yankees, while allowing just one earned run on three hits over seven innings.
He went to the mound with some advice from a member of the Indians’ Hall of Fame, Charles Nagy, who is the pitching coach at Triple-A Columbus.
“He just told me not to change anything,” Tomlin said. “He said, ‘Your stuff will get guys out just like it does here.’ I did (believe him).
He’s got a pretty good resume.”
Tomlin was relieved that he wasn’t the victim of Alex Rodriguez’s 600th home run. He retired Rodriguez all three times he faced him.
“I didn’t (think about it), but I was trying to make pitches so I wouldn’t be that guy,” Tomlin said.
Minor detail
RHP Connor Graham got the win in relief Tuesday after pitching two perfect innings for Akron in the win over Bowie. Since being converted to a reliever on May 19, Graham has posted a 2.37 ERA in 24 appearances. He was acquired last year in a trade with the Rockies for Rafael Betancourt.
Roundin’ third
- Tuesday’s win over the Yankees was Acta’s 200th career victory as a manager.
- According to Elias Sports Bureau, Tomlin is the second pitcher in Indians history to allow three or fewer baserunners over at least seven innings of his major league debut. Scott Lewis is the other, accomplishing as much in 2008 against the Orioles.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
