Indians news, features and notes
- Green graduate David Lough’s path to Kansas City Royals includes a past of soccer, basketball and football
- Indians 4, Royals 3: Eighth-inning rally lifts Indians to win over Royals
- Green graduate David Lough of Royals living out MLB dream with family in attendance
- Cleveland Indians notebook: Carlos Santana taking some of the blame for high wild-pitch count
- Cleveland Indians report: Lonnie Chisenhall recalled from Triple-A, back at third base
- Indians: Matchups for upcoming games
- Top draft pick Clint Frazier finds it tough to say goodbye to parents but thrilled to start as pro with Cleveland Indians
- Too early to pigeonhole Chisenhall
- Indians recall Lonnie Chisenhall, send Matt Langwell to Triple-A
- Royals 2, Indians 1: Ninth inning dooms Tribe as Kansas City completes comeback win
SUBSCRIBE VIA RSS
Valbuena back with Tribe on merit
Luis Valbuena made his first plate appearance this season for the Tribe Saturday, starting at second base in place of veteran Orlando Cabrera, who had the day off.
Originally a shortstop, Valbuena has become a super utility man who has logged time at Triple-A
Columbus at second base, third base, shortstop, left field and designated hitter.
Valbuena made his debut with the Indians in 2009 after being traded to Cleveland the previous season in the deal that sent outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to the Mariners. He earned everyday playing time last year to start the season, but struggled in hitting just .193 and was sent down to Columbus.
That’s where Valbuena began to redeem himself this season, batting .313 with 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 56 RBI and 48 runs scored in 77 games before earning another much-deserved promotion.
“We had a lot of good reports from our minor league staff,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “(Triple-A manager) Mike Sarbaugh was very happy the way Luis played there defensively and offensively. (Valbuena) earned it and I‘m proud of him. I let him know too, because when we called up (second baseman Cord) Phelps, he never put his head down. He went out there and continued to perform and pretty much was carrying that ball club for a period of time.”
