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.

CLEVELAND — It was the toughest of tests for Josh Tomlin, who faced the vaunted New York Yankees and their ace, former Indian CC Sabathia, in his major league debut Tuesday night at Progressive Field.

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He passed with flying colors.

Tomlin, an unheralded right-hander who was a surprise pick to replace an injured Aaron Laffey in the rotation, proved the Indians made the right choice, dealing Cleveland past New York 4-1 to even the four-game series at a win apiece.

Looking like a crafty veteran rather than an unproven rookie, Tomlin held the powerful Yanks in check for the duration of his seven-inning outing, allowing just a run on three hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out two.

In the process, he and the Indians made national news by preventing Alex Rodriguez from hitting his 600th home run. Rodriguez went hitless in three at-bats off Tomlin and one against Chris Perez, going 0-for-8 over the first two games of the series.

“It was an outstanding effort by the kid,” said Cleveland manager Manny Acta of Tomlin, who allowed his only run in the eighth inning after surrendering a leadoff double to Nick Swisher and being removed. “He pitched a great game and wasn’t going to be intimidated. The game didn’t speed up on him at all. He looked very comfortable.”

According to Tomlin, whose parents were in attendance, looks were understandably deceiving. He admitted to being nervous, but it was tough to tell and it didn’t last long.

More photos below.

“It took me a while to settle in but after that first inning I was more comfortable,” said Tomlin, who allowed just one hit over the first six innings. “I’m just going out there trying to throw strikes and make them put the ball in play.

“It was pretty exciting. It was awesome.”

Using all five of his pitches effectively, Tomlin stuck with the gameplan he brought to the mound, and New York’s hitters never figured him out.

“The second and third time around (the lineup) is tough because hitters make adjustments,” Acta said. “But when you can command and locate the way this kid did, you can adjust all you want.”

“I didn’t want them to think I was going to be nibbling all night,” Tomlin said. “I tried to go right after them and throw strikes.”

It was the second time in less than two weeks that the Indians got a win from a pitcher making his major league debut. Jeanmar Gomez beat the Tigers in his first big league start on July 18.

It is the first time Cleveland has got two wins from pitchers making their debut since 1922 – Dewey Metivier and Phil Bedgood.

The victory was enhanced not just by beating the Yankees, but by beating Sabathia, who pitched for Cleveland from 2001-08 and won the Cy Young award with the Indians in ’07.

Sabathia had won nine straight decisions and had not lost since May 23, but his old team welcomed him rudely, scoring four runs (two earned) on nine hits over seven innings.

The Indians scored twice off Sabathia in the fourth inning, then added two more in the sixth, the last run coming when Sabathia walked No. 9 hitter Chris Gimenez with the bases loaded.

“Our guys put up some good at-bats against a tough pitcher,” Acta said.

Matt LaPorta, the key player acquired when the Indians traded Sabathia to Milwaukee during the 2008 season, drove in two runs off the large left-hander.

LaPorta said there was nothing special about facing Sabathia.

“He’s a great pitcher and he’s going out there trying to compete against me,” said LaPorta, who drove in Cleveland’s second run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly and the first run in the sixth with a double to left-center. “I’m going out there trying to compete against him.”

Though the Indians owned a three-run lead, there were still some anxious moments in the ninth, with the Yankees starting off the inning with hits from Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter against Perez. Jeter and Robinson Cano had the only hits off Tomlin.

Perez got stingy after that, striking out Swisher and getting Mark Teixeira to pop out, bringing Rodriguez to the plate for one more shot at history.

Perez threw two pitches to Rodriguez before the Yanks’ third baseman grounded into a fielder’s choice out to end the game.

“Don’t give it up. Don’t let No. 600 be a big one,” Perez said, when asked what he was thinking as Rodriguez came to the plate. “It was a big win for us. We beat the Yankees with their big gun CC on the mound. That makes it even sweeter because of the history he has here.”

Still, the night belonged to Tomlin.

“It looked like he was back in the minor leagues pitching a game, but it was a game against the Yankees,” Perez said.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

CLEVELAND — Carlos San­tana has already experienced plenty in his debut season, most of it positive. Now, the rookie catcher is getting a taste of his first extended slump.

Santana, who got off to an impressive start after being pro­moted from Triple-A Colum­bus, entered Tuesday hitting just .208 (15-for-72) in July (22 games), dropping his season average from .345 to .269.

“Things are not always going to be roses for you,” said manager Manny Acta. “He’s battling. At least he’s still get­ting his walks. Right now he’s being pitched tough.”

With left-hander CC Sabathia on the mound for the Yankees on Tuesday, Santana was out of the lineup for one of the few times since his pro­motion from the minors.

Though Santana is a switch hitter, he has fared much bet­ter from the left side, batting .330 (29-for-88) with five home runs and 17 RBIs. He is at .143 (6-for-42) with a homer and four RBIs hitting right-handed. “We’re just giving him the day off,” Acta said. “The way things have gone, this is a good day, with Carlos having to swing from the right.”

Moving day

The Indians officially promoted Josh Tomlin from Triple-A Columbus to start Tuesday night, optioning outfielder Michael Brantley back to Columbus to make room on the 25-man roster, while designating Clippers third baseman Wes Hodges for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Brantley hit just .157 (11-for-70) with a homer and four RBIs in 17 games during his second stint with the Indians this season, but Acta said his approach was better. “The move wasn’t based on his performance,” Acta said. “It’s that we’re overloaded with outfielders. Michael is going to be back pretty soon. I feel like he’s one of those guys that’s done everything in the minor leagues. He’s going to figure it out up here.”

Hodges, a second-round draft pick in 2006, was considered a candidate to succeed Jhonny Peralta at third. He has spent the entire season at Columbus, batting .270 with nine homers and 47 RBIs in 94 games.

With Brantley gone, Trevor Crowe will return as the club’s regular center fielder and leadoff hitter.

New York, New York

The opener of a four-game series with the Yankees on Monday night drew one of the largest crowds of the season (27,224), at least half of them New York fans.

“There are a lot of Yankees fans wherever you go,” Acta said.

“There are two things I can’t control, the Middle East crisis and the crowds here. What I can control is developing this club so we can get better and get the fans out here.”

Cleveland ranks last in the majors, averaging 16,811 fans per game.

Wood’s world

Kerry Wood (blister right index finger) is eligible to leave the disabled list today, but, according to Acta, the closer will not be activated.

Wood threw his second bullpen session Tuesday and will be re-evaluated today.

Minor details

Luis Valbuena continues to swing a hot bat for Columbus, hitting two homers and driving in five runs Monday in an 11-7 win over Pawtucket. Valbuena was 7-for-13 with two doubles, three homers and eight RBIs over his last three games through Monday.

◾ Double-A Akron’s Alex White, Cleveland’s top draft pick last year, was named Eastern League pitcher of the week (July 19-25).

The right-hander won two starts, while allowing just two runs and striking out 14 over 14 innings.

◾ Class A Lake County’s Brett Brach was named Midwest League pitcher of the week (July 19-25) after pitching the Captains’ first complete game shutout of the season.

Roundin’ third

The Indians entered Tuesday 2-28 when they score two runs or fewer and 2-43 when they are outhit by their opponent.

◾ The four-game series against New York is being televised in South Korea, with Cleveland’s Shin-Soo Choo and the Yankees’ Chan-Ho Park natives of the country.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

CLEVELAND – Carlos Santana has already experienced plenty in his debut season, most of it positive. Now, the rookie catcher is getting a taste of his first extended slump.

Santana, who got off to an impressive start after being promoted from Triple-A Columbus, entered Tuesday hitting just .208 (15-for-72) in July (22 games), dropping his season average from .345 to .269.

“Things are not always going to be roses for you,” said manager Manny Acta. “He’s battling. At least he’s still getting his walks. Right now he’s being pitched tough.”

With left-hander CC Sabathia on the mound for the Yankees on Tuesday, Santana was out of the lineup for one of the few times since his promotion from the minors.

Though Santana is a switch hitter, he has fared much better from the left side, batting .330 (29-for-88) with five home runs and 17 RBIs. He is at .143 (6-for-42) with a homer and four RBIs hitting right-handed.

“We’re just giving him the day off,” Acta said. “The way things have gone, this is a good day, with Carlos having to swing from the right.”

Moving day

The Indians officially promoted Josh Tomlin from Triple-A Columbus to start Tuesday night, optioning outfielder Michael Brantley back to Columbus to make room on the 25-man roster, while designating Clippers third baseman Wes Hodges for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Brantley hit just .157 (11-for-70) with a homer and four RBIs in 17 games during his second stint with the Indians this season, but Acta said his approach was better.

“The move wasn’t based on his performance,” Acta said. “It’s that we’re overloaded with outfielders. Michael is going to be back pretty soon. I feel like he’s one of those guys that’s done everything in the minor leagues. He’s going to figure it out up here.”

Hodges, a second-round draft pick in 2006, was considered a candidate to succeed Jhonny Peralta at third. He has spent the entire season at Columbus, batting .270 with nine homers and 47 RBIs in 94 games. 

With Brantley gone, Trevor Crowe will return as the club’s regular center fielder and leadoff hitter.

New York, New York

The opener of a four-game series with the Yankees on Monday night drew one of the largest crowds of the season (27,224), at least half of them New York fans. 

“There are a lot of Yankees fans wherever you go,” Acta said. “There are two things I can’t control, the Middle East crisis and the crowds here. What I can control is developing this club so we can better and get the fans out here.”

Cleveland ranks last in the majors, averaging 16,811 fans per game.

Wood’s world

Kerry Wood (blister right index finger) is eligible to leave the disabled list today, but, according to Acta, the closer will not be activated.

Wood threw his second bullpen session Tuesday and will be re-evaluated today. 

Minor details

Luis Valbuena continues to swing a hot bat for Columbus, hitting two homers and driving in five runs Monday in an 11-7 win over Pawtucket. Valbuena was 7-for-13 with two doubles, three homers and eight RBIs over his last three games through Monday. … Double-A Akron’s Alex White, Cleveland’s top draft pick last year, was named Eastern League pitcher of the week (July 19-25). The right-hander won two starts, while allowing just two runs and striking out 14 over 14 innings. … Class A Lake County’s Brett Brach was named Midwest League pitcher of the week (July 19-25) after pitching the Captains’ first complete game shutout of the of the season.

Roundin’ third

The Indians entered Tuesday 2-28 when they score two runs or fewer and 2-43 when they are outhit by their opponent. … The four-game series against New York is being televised in South Korea, with Cleveland’s Shin-Soo Choo and the Yankees’ Chan-Ho Park natives of the country. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.