CLEVELAND — Orlando Cabrera has officially fought off Cord Phelps’ bid to replace him as the Indians’ second baseman.

Phelps was demoted Thursday to Triple-A Columbus, ending his 29-day stay in the majors. The rookie batted .196 with one home run and five RBIs in 19 games with the Tribe.

“We decided to send him down so he could play every day,” Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. “Since Orlando has been playing so much of the time, and playing well, I didn’t think it was fair to Phelps to be sitting so much.

“When I talked to him last night, I told him he should consider himself blessed and grateful. How many kids can play big league baseball when you’re only three years out of Stanford? That’s what he did.”

Phelps was called up from the Clippers on June 8, largely to put a fire under the 36-year-old Cabrera, who was not playing well in the field or at the plate.

Not coincidentally, the “O-Dog” turned things around at that point, going 21-for-71 (.296) with 10 runs in his next 20 games.

Phelps, meanwhile, not only struggled with the bat, he was very shaky playing second base.
The 24-year-old switch hitter committed five errors in his first 12 major league appearances — just one fewer than Cabrera has in 73 games at second.

“Phelps struggled defensively up here, but we know he’s got a very good glove from the minors,” Acta said. “He wishes he had played better defense, but he felt the same way we did that he hit pretty well for us.”

With Phelps back in the minors, third baseman Jack Hannahan served as utility infielder for the series opener vs. Toronto.

However, Acta hinted that Hannahan will only spend one night in that role. Pitcher Zach McAllister was sent to Columbus after the game, allowing the team to promote third baseman Luis Valbuena. He can also play second base and shortstop.

Valbuena is batting .314 for the Clippers and was named to the International League All-Star team. Jason Donald, another candidate to be called up, is at .286 after missing 60 games with knee and hand injuries.

Second baseman Jason Kipnis also was chosen for the Triple-A All-Star Game and is hitting .301, but Acta said he would not be getting the call.

Feisty Fausto

Pitcher Fausto Carmona, who is on the DL with a right quadriceps strain, tossed the baseball from 60 feet prior to Thursday’s game. He will throw a bullpen session on July 13 when the Indians return from the All-Star break, then return to the starting lineup five days later.

“We’re going to push Fausto to the back of the rotation so he’ll have as much time as possible,” Acta said, breaking into a smile. “I’ll give you the rest of the news about my rotation in a couple of days, but if you want to start working backward from Carmona now, be my guest.”

Carmona is 4-10 with a 5.78 ERA in 18 starts this season. The 2010 All-Star has given up an American League-high 67 earned runs and ranks second in the circuit with 10 losses (one behind Baltimore’s Jeremy Guthrie).

Scuffling speedster

Left fielder Michael Brantley went 2-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base Wednesday in the series finale against the Yankees, preventing him from going hitless in the three-game series.

After batting .297 in April, the Indians’ leadoff hitter has seen his average drop in each successive month. Brantley hit .278 in May, .231 in June and was at .208 in July before Thursday night’s game.

“He went through a rough spot, but Michael knows the strike zone real good, so those guys can work their way out of things pretty well,” Acta said. “I was really happy with the way he swung the bat last night.”

Brantley went 0-for-8 in the first two games of the New York series, making him 16-for-87 (.184) over his last 22 games.

Minor details

• Columbus closer Zach Putnam allowed three runs, four hits and four walks in 11⁄3 innings Wednesday, allowing the Louisville Bats to steal a 3-2 home victory. It was Putnam’s first blown save in eight opportunities this year and ruined a terrific performance by Justin Germano, who took a perfect game into the sixth while making a spot start.
• Second baseman Tyler Cannon had a run-scoring double among his two hits, but Double-A Akron dropped a 4-1 decision to the Altoona Curve. Joe Gardner took the loss after allowing four runs in six innings.
• Ace pitching prospect Drew Pomeranz tossed eight shutout innings for Single-A Kinston in its 3-1 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats. The talented lefty, who is 3-2 with a 1.87 ERA, is rumored to be in line for a promotion to Akron next week.

Roundin’ third

• McAllister became the sixth Indians player to make his MLB debut this season. The others are Phelps, outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall, reliever Josh Judy and starter Alex White.
• The Tribe owns the best home record in the AL at 27-15 and is 3-1 on its seven-game homestand following the win Thursday night.

Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com.