KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The comeback trails for Charles Nagy and Jaret Wright have both been re-routed.
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| Wright |
When the Cleveland Indians break spring training camp and head
north next week to start the regular season, Nagy and Wright will
both be on the disabled list and back in Florida.
The two right-handers, each attempting to come back following
surgery, will begin the season on the 15-day DL and will remain at
the Indians' training facility in Winter Haven for extended spring
training.
"The feeling with both of them is that we need to increase
their volume and put them through the rigors of what a starting
pitcher goes through to determine whether they can handle that,"
Indians general manager John Hart said Sunday.
Nagy, one of baseball's most consistent pitchers the past
decade, has impressed the Indians with his courage this spring. The
33-year-old has no cartilage left in his right elbow and has been
pitching through the pain, which he insists is tolerable.
And although Nagy hasn't missed his turn yet, and is still
getting hitters out, his fastball is only 84-85 mph and the Indians
are concerned that his arm can't endure throwing 100 pitches in a
game.
Nagy, who has won 123 career games, threw 74 pitches his last
time out, but the Indians want to see more.
Wright, who had shoulder surgery in August, has made just one
appearance in an "A" game this spring, pitching two innings on
Friday night against Kansas City. It was the first time Wright had
faced big-league hitters since June 2 and he was surprisingly sharp
considering the long layoff.
Hart said the club doesn't want to rush the pair.
"We don't really have a timetable," Hart said. "We want them
to get a minimum of three starts and get them up to 100 pitches and
then evaluate them. You're looking at between April 10-15 for the
next evaluation. They'll either stay for another start or move up
and take a rehab assignment at (Double-A) Akron or (Triple-A)
Buffalo after that."
Hart said neither pitcher objected when they were told of the
Indians' plan for them.
"We're all on the same page with this thing," Hart said.
"They know we can't bring them back before they're ready. That's
not fair to anybody. It's a big step and a big decision."
It's the first of several big decisions facing the Indians in
the final week of camp.
Hart said two spots in the starting rotation remain open with
rookie C.C. Sabathia, Steve Karsay, Tim Drew and Steve Woodard all
in the mix to be the No. 4 or No. 5 starters. It appears Willie
Blair will begin the season as the long reliever out of the
bullpen.
What to do with Sabathia seems to be the Indians' biggest
dilemma, and there is a difference of opinion among the club's
braintrust.
The 20-year-old left-hander, who has never pitched higher than
Double-A, made his second start Saturday and picked up his first
win by pitching five strong innings against the Houston Astros.
"He's been around the strike zone all spring," Hart said.
"His stuff is solid and he doesn't appear to be intimidated. I
think it's experience with him more than anything else. The fact
is, he hasn't pitched all that many professional innings. His game
is coming. He's got a clean delivery and he throws three pitches
across the strike zone."
Drew started three games for the Indians last season, and it was
assumed he would begin the year at Triple-A Buffalo. But the
right-hander has been brilliant this spring, allowing just one run
in 10 innings and may have won a spot in the rotation.
"He came into camp a year older, a year more mature and
stronger," Hart said. "He's succeeded in every situation we've
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