PEORIA, Ariz. — Closer Kerry Wood said a strained muscle in his right arm prevented him from making his scheduled appearance Saturday, but the right-hander downplayed the injury.

“It’s just early stuff, nothing major,” said Wood, who has made two scoreless appearances (two innings) this spring. “It feels fine. It was precautionary, obviously.”

Wood said he felt discomfort in the arm while playing catch prior to Saturday’s game and told manager Manny Acta, who decided against Wood taking the mound.

“Spring training is not the time to go out and push through something,” said Wood, who has made 12 trips to the disabled list throughout a 12-year career. “I’ve been through enough of this stuff to know when to back off things.”

“He’s going to be out there again in a few days,” Acta said. “It’s nothing serious to worry about.”

Wood said he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today and expects to appear in one of Cleveland’s split-squad games Wednesday.

Laffey’s line

Aaron Laffey’s impressive spring training performance came to a halt Sunday in the Indians’ 5-3 loss to the Padres at Peoria Sports Complex.

Laffey, who is vying for one of two available spots in Cleveland’s rotation and had not allowed a run (one hit) over his first two outings, surrendered five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks over 22/3 innings of a scheduled three-inning outing.

The left-hander allowed four of his runs and two walks in the third inning, all coming with two outs.

“I got to the third inning and just kind of lost control,” Laffey said. “I wasn’t throwing strikes. Those innings will happen. It’s spring training.

“I think, right now, I have a pretty good feel for everything. I just need to throw strikes.”

Russ bust?

Though Russell Branyan is still nursing a sore lower back and has yet to appear in an exhibition game, Acta doesn’t see the first baseman opening the season on the disabled list.

“I think it’s way too early to start talking about that, unless something major happens,” Acta said.
Sowers sighting
Acta said he expects left-hander Jeremy Sowers to make his exhibition debut at the end of this week. Sowers is working his way back from inflammation in his left shoulder.

He pitched a simulated game Saturday in Goodyear.

“He threw the ball pain-free with no problems,” Acta said. “He’s moving in the right direction.”

Sowers, Cleveland’s first-round draft choice (sixth overall) in 2004, is all but out of the running to win a spot in the rotation, but could make the team out of the bullpen. He is out of minor-league options and the Indians could decide to place him on the disabled list to start the season, rather than risk losing him on waivers.

‘B’ game blues

The Indians dropped a 4-3 decision Sunday to the Reds in a “B” game at Goodyear Ballpark.

Reliever Jensen Lewis, who doesn’t have a strong hold on a spot in the bullpen, gave up a two-run homer to Juan Francisco.

Roundin’ third

Grady Sizemore was not in the lineup but he ranks fourth in the American League with seven RBIs in four exhibition games.

Today, 4:05, No radio or television vs. Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park (Maryvale). David Huff (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 5.40).

Padres (3-8) 5, Indians (5-2-2) 3

Hits

• Third baseman Jhonny Peralta hit his first home run of the spring off Padres’ starter Chris Young and went 2-for-3 on the day. He was charged with a throwing error on a double-play ball in the second inning, but second baseman Mark Grudzielanek should have handled the throw.
• Andy Marte (2-for-4) joined Peralta as the only Cleveland players with more than one hit.
• Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez, who tossed a perfect game for Double-A Akron last year, pitched two scoreless innings and allowed just a hit. He struck out two.

Misses

• Aaron Laffey’s scoreless streak came to an end in his third exhibition appearance. The left-hander took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks in 22/3 innings.
• First base prospect Wes Hodges was charged with an error after dropping an easy throw. He was hitless in one at-bat.

White out

• Alex White, Cleveland’s first-round draft pick (15th overall) last year, made his second exhibition appearance. He pitched two-thirds of an inning and walked one. The 21-year-old right-hander has logged 1 2/3 innings and allowed just two walks.

Attendance

• 5,737 at Peoria Sports Complex

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

PEORIA, Ariz. – Closer Kerry Wood said a strained muscle in his right arm prevented him from making his scheduled appearance Saturday, but the right-hander downplayed the injury.

“It’s just early stuff, nothing major,” said Wood, who has made two scoreless appearances (two innings) this spring. “It feels fine. It was precautionary, obviously.”

Wood said he felt discomfort in the arm while playing catch prior to Saturday’s game and told manager Manny Acta, who decided against Wood taking the mound.

“Spring training is not the time to go out and push through something,” said Wood, who has made 12 trips to the disabled list throughout a 12-year career. “I’ve been through enough of this stuff to know when to back off things.”

“He’s going to be out there again in a few days,” Acta said. “It’s nothing serious to worry about.”

Wood said he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today and expects to appear in one of Cleveland’s split-squad games Wednesday.

Padres (3-8) 5, Indians (5-2-2) 3

Hits: Third baseman Jhonny Peralta hit his first home run of the spring off Padres’ starter Chris Young and went 2-for-3 on the day. He was charged with a throwing error on a double-play ball in the second inning, but second baseman Mark Grudzielanek should have handled the throw. … Andy Marte (2-for-4) joined Peralta as the only Cleveland players with more than one hit. … Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez, who tossed a perfect game for Double-A Akron last year, pitched two scoreless innings and allowed just a hit. He struck out two.

Misses: Aaron Laffey’s scoreless streak came to an end in his third exhibition appearance. The left-hander took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings. … First base prospect Wes Hodges was charged with an error after dropping an easy throw. He was hitless in one at-bat.  

White out: Alex White, Cleveland’s first-round draft pick (15^th overall) last year, made his second

exhibition appearance. He pitched 2/3 of an inning and walked one. The 21-year-old right-hander has logged 1 2/3 innings and allowed just two walks. 

Attendance: 5,737 at Peoria Sports Complex

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Did the Indians buy damaged goods when they signed first baseman Russell Branyan to a one-year contract worth $2 million this offseason? It’s sure starting to look that way.

Branyan, whose career year in Seattle last season ended prematurely with a lower-back injury, brought the ailment with him to Goodyear, where he has yet to play in an exhibition game.

The Russ Bus had a whole offseason to rest his back and it’s still bothering him? That’s not a good sign.

The Indians don’t seem overly concerned by Branyan’s slow recovery, claiming they counted on him to continue his rehabilitation this spring in order to get ready for the regular season.

But manager Manny Acta apparently wasn’t on that page when he said that Branyan would make his exhibition debut Wednesday. That was wishful thinking for the Tribe’s new skipper.

Not only did Branyan not answer the bell, the slugger said Saturday he had stopped taking groundballs and hitting in the cage – something Acta said he was doing on a somewhat regular basis since arriving in Goodyear.

In fact, Branyan said he was “hoping” to play catch today. Play catch? Uh, Russ, the regular season starts April 5 in Chicago, bro. You might want to ramp up things a bit.

Or, maybe he can’t.

Even if the Indians are proceeding with caution, it doesn’t bode well for the 162-game regular-season schedule. Odds are good that at some point, Branyan’s back will start barking again.

Cleveland has an emergency plan in place with prized prospect Matt LaPorta, who underwent two surgeries (big toe and hip) in the offseason, but has already made it back this spring, playing in two games.

If Branyan isn’t able to go when the regular season starts, LaPorta would most likely take over at first – barring a miraculous effort from Andy Marte this spring, which is highly unlikely.

How ironic would that be? The Indians signed Branyan because they didn’t feel LaPorta, a career outfielder, was ready to man first base on a regular basis in the majors, and LaPorta winds up there anyway.

If Branyan’s back breaks down, the Indians not only lose their starting first baseman and one of their top power hitters, they also wave bye to $2 million.

It’s only $2 million, but to Dolan’s Discounts, that’s a lot of money.

Cabrera caper

Asdrubal Cabrera will most likely miss a week after straining his left groin while diving back to third base on a pickoff attempt Friday in Goodyear.

Cabrera said Saturday he didn’t think the injury was serious and that he was day-to-day.

“It’s a very mild strain,” Acta said.

Still, the Indians will probably be cautious with their new leadoff hitter, who was off to a positive start this spring – .500 (5-for-10) with a triple, home run and two RBIs in four games.

Wood’s world

Closer Kerry Wood did not make his scheduled appearance against the Rangers on Saturday.

“He’s got a little bit of spring training (arm) soreness,” Acta said. “He just didn’t feel ready to pitch.”

Wood, 32, was healthy last year in his first season with the Indians, but he’s got a long history of injuries, making 12 trips to the disabled list over a 12-year career.

The right-hander has made two appearances this spring, both of them scoreless outings.

Roundin’ third

Outfielder Michael Brantley entered Saturday having reached base safely in seven of his 16 plate appearances. … Outfielder Nick Weglarz entered Saturday leading the American League with a .643 on-base percentage, and tied for the league lead with seven walks. … The Indians will play a “B” game today against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. … Today, 4:05, SportsTime Ohio/WMMS 100.7-FM vs. Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Aaron Laffey (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Chris Young (0-0, 2.25).

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