MINNEAPOLIS — The Indians’ new closer is Masa Kobayashi.
Well, sort of.
The Indians designated Joe Borowski for assignment on Friday as the team looks to evaluate what they have from some of the young relief arms in the system.
“Here at the beginning we’ll give Masa the bulk of it, but I want to fix spots where we try other people too,” Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said about the closing situation before the Indians faced the Twins at the Metrodome.
Rick Bauer was also designated for assignment. He had a 13.50 ERA in just four appearances for the Indians. Brian Slocum and Jensen Lewis were recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.
Kobayashi saved 227 games for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese Pacific League from 1999-2007. His first year in America has been a mixed bag. He’s 4-4 with a 3.29 ERA and 4-of-6 in save opportunities.
GM Mark Shapiro was asked if he thought one of the relievers currently on the staff could be the closer of the future.
“Possible, but I’m not overly confident,” Shapiro said. “Strange things happen in this game. Closers come from strange places, but nothing’s staring me in the face saying one of these guys is going to be a closer. It’s not impossible, but it’s not probable either. I think we’re going to have to address that in the offseason.”
Slocum and Lewis, along with Edward Mujica and Tom Mastny, will likely get close looks in the coming weeks. While Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez remain, the set-up role will also look a little different.
“We’re going to stay real open minded,” Wedge said.
n JOBO NO MO’ — Wedge had nothing but good things to say about Borowski. Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis told him of the decision face-to-face on Thursday night at the team hotel. “He’s the toughest relief person I’ve ever been around as a player or as a manager,” Wedge said. “He’s one of those guys that individuals on our team will continue to be better because of the time they spent around Joe.”
n GM THOUGHTS — Here are additional thoughts from Shapiro:
n The effect of Travis Hafner’s physical problems on the Indians’ thinking as the trade deadline approaches: “It doesn’t affect us over the next month. If that uncertainty carries into the offseason, then it has a dramatic effect on our ability to build this team. But I don’t think it will.”
n On little-used 3B Andy Marte: “I’d like to think at some point, if an opportunity presents itself, we can get him regular at-bats. But if not, it would be tough to factor him for next year.”
n On INF Asdrubal Cabrera, who continues to work on his conditioning and fundamentals at Buffalo: “I would totally expect him to back here this season,” said Shapiro, who added that reports of Cabrera’s conduct during an ejection Wednesday night were severely exaggerated.
n WONDERFUL WES — Double-A Akron 3B Wes Hodges has been selected to play in the Futures Game in Yankee Stadium on July 13 for Team USA. He’s also one of 60 players currently being considered for the 24-man United States team for the Beijing Olympics.
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