Choo won't have to go far to see specialist

ARLINGTON, Texas: Maybe a big free agent is in the Indians' future, after all.

The Tribe will be saving lots of money on air fare now that Dr. Tom Graham hass moved his practice from the Curtis National Haned Center at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore to the Cleveland Clinic.

Shin-Soo Choo is the latest Cleveland athlete to get attention from Graham, a hand surgeon of note, who has treated several Indians players in recent years. To wit: Adam Miller, Jamey Carroll, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Donald. He also took on the challenge of fixing the giant hand of Shaquille O'Neal of the Cavaliers.

Choo is scheduled to visit Graham Tuesday. Depending on what Graham finds, Choo might have to undergo surgery to repair his left thumb, injured Friday night, when he skidded on the grass chasing a double at Progressive Field.

Graham has been in Baltimore since 2000, but he grew up in East Liverpool and practiced at the Clinic following his residency.

It's almost difficult to imagine any team having more rookies on its current roster than the Indians, let alone a contending club. But the Tigers, who are virtually tied with the Twins atop the Central Division, have seven rookies on the team. So do the Orioles, but Baltimore is last in the East.
The Tribe is third in the American League with six rookies: Michael Brantley, Jason Donald, Carlos Santana, Hector Ambriz, Frank Herrmann and Mitch Talbot.