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Do IT this week: Layering
Wedge won't commit but says bullpen needs will be key in decision
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, Sep 26, 2008
BOSTON: Is Brendan Donnelly in the Indians' future?
Manager Eric Wedge was noncommittal on the subject Thursday. Donnelly wants to be back but has no idea what will happen after the season concludes on Sunday.
''It's a two-way deal,'' Wedge said. ''He has to look at his options, and we have to see what kind of availability there will be in the bullpen.''
There is nothing ambivalent about Donnelly.
''Absolutely,'' he said, when asked if he would like to return. ''That's the reason I signed here. I wanted to get healthy and build a relationship.''
After undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in 2007, Donnelly was signed by the Tribe during the winter and told he could rehab his right elbow until he was ready to return to the mound.
That happened when he was summoned from Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 8. Since then Donnelly has pitched 14 times and compiled a 7.62 ERA in 13 innings.
But raw numbers can be misleading in such a small sampling of games. Five of the 11 runs Donnelly has allowed came in a game against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 8. He was thumped for four runs the second time he pitched after his call up, also against the Orioles.
That means he has yielded two runs in his other 12 appearances, and it's obvious he is regaining the form he displayed when he was one of the most consistent back-end relievers in the league, as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
''He has better command of the baseball,'' Wedge said. ''And his sinker is more consistent. Those are the two things.''
Donnelly thinks he still has work to do.
''My split is starting to show up a little, and my slider is starting to go [break] the right way,'' he said, smiling. ''I started to throw a sinker last year. It's not that impressive, but I have to use it.''
Donnelly's four-seam fastball usually checks in at about 90 mph, which is somewhat below his previous norm.
''I think I'm a mile or two away,'' he said. ''I think a long toss and strengthening program over the winter will take care of that.''
Donnelly acknowledges that there have been bumps in the road, but he is not discouraged.
''I've had a couple of rough ones, but that's to be expected,'' he said. ''There have been times I've gotten hammered, but my stuff is starting to come back.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
BOSTON: Is Brendan Donnelly in the Indians' future?
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