CLEVELAND — Under normal circumstances, banged up shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera would have taken the night off Wednesday. But there is nothing normal about Cabrera when it comes to sitting out.
“He never wants out of the lineup,” said manager Manny Acta. “I have to negotiate hard with him anytime I want to give him a day off.”
Cabrera was in jeopardy of missing his first game of the season after rolling his right ankle Tuesday on an off-balance throw in the second inning.
He stayed on the field for the remainder of the inning and played short in the third before being lifted for pinch hitter Lonnie Chisenhall in the fourth — but only after some prodding from Acta.
“He didn’t want to come out of the game,” Acta said. “He was saying it was still early and we could rally. He was feeling so good he sent text messages (after the game) about him being able to play (Wednesday.)”
This ankle injury came a day after Cabrera appeared to be battling a leg issue for much of the night in the series opener against New York and wore an ice pack on the leg after the game.
Cabrera’s desire to play through pain was evident last year when he returned prematurely from a fractured left forearm.
“He sacrificed his numbers and everything else,” Acta said. “We could see he wasn’t 100 percent. He came back early because he wanted to play. For us as managers, you want 25 guys like that.”
Cabrera’s goal during spring training was to play in all 162 games this season, but that likely won’t happen, with Acta hinting that his all-star shortstop would get a day off in the upcoming four-game series against Toronto.
Back in there
As was expected, first baseman Matt LaPorta was activated from the disabled list, where he spent three weeks with a sprained right ankle. He was in the lineup, batting eighth.
Reliever Josh Judy was optioned back to Triple-A Columbus to clear room on the roster for LaPorta, who entered Wednesday batting .242 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs in 59 games.
“It means a lot to our lineup,” Acta said. “Despite being up and down a bit, he ranks up there in home runs (third) and RBIs (fifth) on our club.”
Slidin’ Sizemore
Grady Sizemore has struggled at the plate for the majority of the season, entering Wednesday batting .230 with eight homers and 24 RBIs in 52 games (68 strikeouts).
“What we’ve seen is clearly a player with the ability to be a good major league player,” general manager Chris Antonetii said. “Anybody’s going to go through stretches when he’s less productive than others.”
Sizemore and struggling right-hander Fausto Carmona are in the final year of their contracts, with the Indians holding options for next season on both — Sizemore ($8.5 million), Carmona ($7 million).
“Our collective focus is on this year’s team,” Antonetti said. “We’ll address those issues in the offseason.”
Next up
The Indians continue the homestand with a four-game series against Toronto that begins tonight at 7:05.
RHP Zach McAllister (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his big league debut for Cleveland in the opening game, opposing RHP Carlos Villanueva (5-1, 3.24).
Mitch Talbot (2-5, 5.60) starts for the Indians on Friday (7:05) against LHP Jo Jo Reyes (3-7, 4.85), while Josh Tomlin (10-4, 3.78) goes Saturday (7:05) against RHP Brandon Morrow (5-4, 4.73).
Carlos Carrasco (8-5, 3.95) pitches the series finale for Cleveland on Sunday (1:05), while the Jays counter with LHP Brett Cecil (1-4, 6.37).
Draft pick
The Indians have yet to sign their first-round draft pick (eighth overall) from this year’s draft, shortstop Francisco Lindor.
Cleveland scouting director Brad Grant didn’t predict a problem agreeing to terms with the 17-year-old native of Puerto Rico, and Antonetti didn’t seem concerned.
“We feel confident that Francisco wants to play baseball and wants to begin his professional career,” Antonetti said. “There is collective interest and we will work hard to bring him into the organization.”
Lindor has committed to Florida State University.
Minor details
Reliever Chen-Chang Lee did not allow a run in his first four games for Columbus through Tuesday, striking out 12 over 6 2/3 innings. The non-drafted free agent (2008) from Taiwan was promoted from Double-A Akron after going 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings (23 games) for the Aeros. … Akron LHP T.J. McFarland (5-4, 4.09 ERA) was named Eastern League pitcher of the week (June 27-July 3) after leading the EL in WHIP (0.33), opposing batting average (.048) and ERA (0.00). McFarland is a fourth-round draft pick in 2007.
Roundin’ third
Acta said outfielder Travis Buck (hamstring) was available off the bench and would most likely be in the lineup tonight. Buck hasn’t played since Friday. … In honor of Asdrubal Cabrera (No. 13) and Chris Perez (No. 54) being selected to the All-Star Game, the Indians are offering $13 tickets in the mezzanine, lower reserved, upper box and upper reserved sections, and $54 tickets in the outfield club seats. The promotion begins Thursday and runs through Sunday. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
