Hafner tells a tall tale
about his small dog

WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: Travis Hafner has a dog named Rudi.

The Australian terrier isn't a real big dog — about 20 pounds — but it's big enough to keep the fires burning in the continuing friendly feud between Hafner and Casey Blake, who never seem to run out of things to needle one another about.

After the Indians' workout Thursday, Hafner told reporters the following tongue-in-cheek tale: ''I have a life-sized poster of Blake in my house, and I'm teaching the dog to attack it. If he does, I give him a treat.''

Hafner also said that in spring training last year, Rudi attacked Blake in the face, and that he ran away.

''He made me take the dog home,'' Hafner said. ''If you ask him about any of this, he'll be afraid to admit it.''

Blake, of course, refutes the story.

''That dog tried to bite off the little pinky on my foot,'' he said. ''But he can't get his mouth around any part of my body. I hope you notice that Hafner's power numbers are down since he got that dog. I can tell you about that dog: My 6- and 4-year-old daughters take it for a walk.''

And does Blake have his own dog?

''No,'' he said. ''But if I did, I'd get a manly dog.''

THE FIRST DAY — As is customary at the first full-squad workout of the spring, pitchers — not coaches — threw batting practice, which isn't much fun for the hitters. Their only edge is that the catcher tells them what pitch is coming, but that won't last much longer than the second or third workout.

Manager Eric Wedge also addressed the troops.

''Some of the things I talk about every year, like respecting the game and being a good teammate,'' he said. ''Mostly, I talked about this year and how much hard work we're going to have to do to prepare for the season.''

As for high expectations from the fans, Wedge said, ''We're far enough along that expectations should be the norm.''

ON THE WAY — Reliever Jorge Julio, the only player not in camp, is said to be on his way. Apparently, his plane landed from Venezuela and he was driving to Winter Haven by mid-afternoon.

REPEATER — The Indians have signed outfielder Jason Tyner to a minor-league contract for the second time.

Tyner, 30, spent all of 2007 with the Minnesota Twins, the first time he lasted an entire season in the big leagues. In 114 games, he batted .286 with 14 doubles, one home run (off Jake Westbrook), 22 RBI and eight steals. His career major-league average is .275 in 439 games with the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays and Twins.

During the 2004 season, Tyner played 38 games at the Tribe's Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, batting .345.

GETTING A JUMP — Thirty-three of the Indians' best and brightest minor-leaguers reported to camp this week, two weeks ahead of their lodge brothers.

The participants in the early camp: pitchers Chris Archer, Kelvin De La Cruz, Kevin Dixon, Ryan Edell, Santo Frias, Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, Ryan Morris, Shawn Nottingham, Hector Rondon, Carlton Smith and Steve Wright; catchers Robbie Alcombrack, Alex Castillo, Brian Juhl, Douglas Pickens and Michael Valdez; infielders Brandon Chaves, Adam Davis, Jared Goedert, Wes Hodges, Chris Nash, Ronald Rivas, Carlos Rivero, Josh Rodriguez, Karexon Sanchez and Mark Thompson; outfielders Matt Brown, Jose Constanza, John Drennen, Stephen Head and Adam White.

— Sheldon Ocker