WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Juan Lara, working his way back from an auto accident that threatens to end his baseball career, remains part of the Indians.
Cleveland cleared a spot on its 40-man roster Wednesday by releasing the injured pitcher. The team then re-signed him to a minor-league contract.
Lara was seriously injured in a Nov. 26 auto accident in the Dominican Republic. The Indians said he is undergoing occupational therapy at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland. The left-hander appeared in 10 games for the Indians in 2006 and 2007.
“He’s doing very well,” Indians assistant general manager Chris Antonetti said. “He’s starting to return to normal activities. We’ll continue to be optimistic and remain hopeful that, at some point, he will be able to pitch again.”
Antonetti said the 27-year-old Lara will be paid the same amount under the new deal as in the major-league contract he signed two weeks ago — just under $400,000.
“This puts Juan in the same position he would have been in,” Antonetti said. “We looked at multiple options. We felt this was the right thing to do for Juan, who has been a part of the Indians family for a while.”
n TODAY — The Indians host Toronto this afternoon at 1:05. Fausto Carmona is scheduled to start against Shaun Marcum. Aaron Laffey is scheduled to follow Carmona.
n SLOCUM INJURED — Right-hander Brian Slocum left his start Wednesday night due to a mild strain of the right groin. Slocum had just given up a two-out RBI single to Atlanta’s Mark Teixiera in the first inning.
n NECK AND NECK — Manager Eric Wedge said no one has yet taken hold of the race for the lone open spot in the Cleveland bullpen. “It’s still wide open,” Wedge said. “I think it will probably go to the end of camp.”
n CATCH THE BALL — Andy Marte’s defense at first and third base has been uncharacteristically rough this spring. “I think he’s been a little tentative defensively,” Wedge said. “I want to see him become consistent with both his offense and defense.”
n FAMILIAR FACES — Former Indians right-hander Charles Nagy and catcher Einar Diaz are in camp as guest instructors. Nagy was the pitching coach for the Angels’ Triple-A Salt Lake City affiliate in 2007. Former Cleveland first baseman Wil Cordero is also in camp as an instructor.
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Tribe Notebook: Tribe releases, re-signs Lara
Injured hurler’s status unchanged as move amounts to paper work to clear roster spot
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Bound for Columbus!
The Grand Valley Mustangs have averaged 11.7 runs during a 2012 baseball season that has now covered 31 games.
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A Vince Peluso column: GV finds a way, though that way is quite unclear
It’s tough to sum up what happened on Friday at Carl “Ducky” Schroeder Field at Massillon Washington High School when Grand Valley advanced to the Division III state semifinals by beating Ursuline, 12-11.
I can tell you that Stanley Sirrine delivered the game winning hit. -
Scholastic Statistics:
BASEBALL
DIVISION III
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Grand Valley 12, Ursuline 11 -
Sandlot Roundup, with LeeAnn Farr
BASEBALL
Major
n Angels 7, Tigers 6
n WP — Grant Kingston.
n Other — Kyle Van Allen (T) 1 S, 1 D, Brandon Santiago (T) 1 D; Kingston (A) 2 S, Davey Amsdell (A) 2 S, Alex Tulino (A) 1 S, 1 D, Ethan Barker (A) 1 S. -
Scholastic Schedule:
SATURDAY, MAY 26
Track and Field
Regional
Division II
at Bedford High School
n Qualifiers from district (11:30) -
Mustangs move on!
The Grand Valley Mustangs used timely hitting, strong pitching and a dazzling play in the field to continue their impressive run through the Division III state playoffs as they knocked off the Orrville Red Raiders, 7-4, in a regional semifinal at Carl “Ducky” Schroeder Field at Massillon Washington High School.
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A Vince Peluso column: GV a long way from satisfied
At this point in the baseball season, there are two types of teams remaining — those that are happy to still be playing, and those that expect to still be playing.
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Scholastic Statistics:
BASEBALL
DIVISION III
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
Grand Valley 7, Orrville 4
at Carl “Ducky” Schroeder Field, Massillon Washington High School -
Scholastic Schedule:
FRIDAY, MAY 25
Baseball
Division III
at Massillon Washington High School
Regional championship
n Grand Valley vs. Ursuline (5) -
PV’s Ratliff makes jump to state meet
Quintin Ratliff is Pymatuning Valley’s utlility player.
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