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Player hurt in car wreck will continue to receive his entire baseball salary
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Mar 13, 2008
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.: Juan Lara, who was seriously injured in a car accident last fall in the Dominican Republic, has been removed from the Indians' 40-man roster but will receive a salary as a minor-leaguer.
At some point, the Tribe will need the roster spot but felt obligated to see Lara's recovery through to a conclusion. Consequently, he was released and passed through waivers, at which point he was signed to a minor-league contract for the same salary he would have received earlier.
''I think these are unique circumstances,'' Assistant General Manager Chris Antonetti said. ''But it's the right thing to do for Juan. He's been in our organization a long time.''
In addition to receiving a minor-league salary, the team's medical staff will continue to oversee Lara's recovery.
''This allows us to keep him and supervise his rehab, so he can return to a normal life and eventually to baseball,'' Antonetti said.
At this point, there is no way to know if Lara will be able to resume his baseball career.
The club could have released Lara, and it's doubtful he would have been able to sign elsewhere. Lara, a promising pitcher, underwent neck and arm surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on Dec. 23 and is undergoing occupational therapy at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland.
Ringing endorsement?
Andy Marte is virtually certain to make the team as a utility infielder, but manager Eric Wedge has not been lavish in praising him.
''He's had his good days and bad days,'' Wedge said. ''Sometimes he's been a little tentative on defense, but he's shown some positive signs at the plate.''
Going into Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves, Marte was batting .208 (5-for-24) with two doubles and a home run. He also has committed two errors.
On the other hand
Wedge is ecstatic with the way Franklin Gutierrez has performed.
''He's having a tremendous camp,'' Wedge said. ''He does precise and deliberate work; it's been as good as anybody. The discipline he's shown mentally has been tremendous.''
Dance fever
Hall of fame pitcher Phil Niekro, who pitched late in his career for the Tribe, is spending a week in the Braves camp as a distinguished alumnus.
Johnny Goryl, the Indians' minor-league advisor, recalled going out on the town with Niekro in 1987.
''I'd go with him to a polka dance, somewhere in Lorain,'' Goryl said. ''Actually, he dragged me there.''
Coming soon?
The Cincinnati Reds might be sharing a spring training complex with the Indians as early as 2010.
Wednesday, the state of Arizona announced it is willing to release $33 million to construct practice fields, clubhouses and offices for the Reds, who currently hold spring training in Sarasota, Fla. The stadium, being built now in Goodyear, would be shared by both teams. The Tribe is scheduled to move to its new $73 million complex (including the stadium) next spring.
One (real) bad inning
Aaron Fultz gave up nine runs (seven earned) on eight hits in one-third of an inning of relief, as the Indians lost to the Atlanta Braves 11-4 Wednesday night at the Disney complex.
Brian Slocum started the game but was forced to leave with two outs in the first inning with a mild right groin strain. Slocum was given the start because Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis are beginning the process of lining up the rotation for the season opener March 31.
Aside from Fultz, Indians pitchers stopped the Braves offense, particularly Tom Mastny, who gave up one hit and struck out one in 22/3 innings. Mastny is the favorite to win the final spot in the bullpen.
Offensively, the Tribe got home runs from Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, Brad Snyder and Beau Mills.
Marching onward
The Tribe returns to Chain O' Lakes Park this afternoon to play the Toronto Blue Jays. Fausto Carmona will start against Shaun Marcum, with Aaron Laffey, J.D. Martin, Matt Ginter and Jeff Stevens set to follow.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.: Juan Lara, who was seriously injured in a car accident last fall in the Dominican Republic, has been removed from the Indians' 40-man roster but will receive a salary as a minor-leaguer.
Get the full article here.
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