Cabrera probably coming to Canal Park

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.: Asdrubal Cabrera looks like he'll be playing minor-league baseball next week. And that's a good thing for him and the Indians.

Manager Manny Acta is still being cautious about Cabrera's immediate future, just in case some kind of setback occurs in the next two days.

""If he goes through the weekend and feels good, there's a chance he'll go on a rehab assignment next week,'' Acta said Friday afternoon.

Cabrera has been on the disabled list since May 18 with a fractured forearm, but he took live batting practice for the first time today with no ill effects.

""He looked real good,'' Acta said. ""There was no pain, no nothing. Everything was effortless.''

Cabrera has been taking ground balls and throwing for two weeks, so hacking away at live pitching is the last step before he plays for real.

""I feel normal right now,'' he said. Cabrera underwent surgery to speed the healing process, doctors permanently inserting a metal plate and six screws into his arm.

The All-Star break causes an interruption in the schedule of minor league teams as well as those in the big leagues. Consequently, Cabrera will move around a little when he starts rehab.

""I think on Monday I'm going to Mahoning Valley,'' he said. ""There are no games Tuesday, but I'll play there again on Wednesday. After that, I think I'm going to Akron.''

The Aeros play at Canal Park for seven consecutive days beginning Thursday. Cabrera is likely to be in the lineup for most if not all of those games.