CLEVELAND: Roberto Hernandez finally will make his season debut Wednesday by starting against the Angels in Anaheim.
The three-week suspension imposed by Major League Baseball for using a false identity was completed Saturday, enabling the former Fausto Carmona to be added to the Indians’ roster as early as today.
However, that won’t happen. He will be kept off the roster until the day he pitches, allowing the Tribe to keep another reliever in the bullpen.
“Our bullpen needs a day or two more to get completely in shape and rested,” manager Manny Acta said Saturday. “The extra guys in the pen give us a chance to get the pen in order. These guys have been used a lot lately, especially Vinnie [Pestano] and Tony [Sipp].”
The bullpen already has one more arm than usual, Frank Herrmann, who was called up Tuesday.
Hernandez’s first start will fall on the same day that Chris Seddon would have pitched, which means either Seddon or a reliever will be erased from the roster to make room for Hernandez. Could Acta put Seddon in the bullpen?
“We haven’t made that decision yet,” Acta said. “Seddon obviously is unavailable today and tomorrow.”
That’s because Seddon started and threw six innings Friday night.
In his final rehab start, Hernandez gave up one run and four hits in seven innings for Columbus Friday night.
HONOREES — The Indians added three members to their hall of fame Saturday night: Cy Young Award winner Gaylord Perry, the late head trainer Jimmy Warfield and Jack Graney, who played outfield for the Tribe in the early part of the 20th century and became the first former player to broadcast baseball on radio as the Indians’ play-by-play voice.
KIPNIS MISSING AGAIN — Jason Kipnis missed his third game in a row with a stiff neck.
“He’s making progress but not good enough to be out there,” Acta said. “He will see a doctor later today.”
HAFNER DONE FOR YEAR? — With 1½ months left in the season, will Travis Hafner’s back problem keep him off the field for the rest of the schedule?
“I don’t think so,” Acta said. “I don’t think that’s what the medical staff thinks. Nobody here seems to think it’s that type of thing.”
Hafner’s bulging disk created inflammation in the area that has been treated with an epidural and oral medication.
BAD BREAK — Promising Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks sustained a fractured right wrist when he was struck by an Esmil Rogers fastball in the ninth inning Friday night.
FARM FACTS — Gregorio Petit homered and singled twice, driving in two runs, as Columbus beat Indianapolis 5-1. … Jake Lowery doubled and drove in two runs in Lake County’s 4-3 loss to Great Lakes. … Joe Wendle had two hits and one RBI, and Jeremy Lucas homered, as Mahoning Valley defeated Batavia 7-3. … Claudio Bautista homered and singled, but the Arizona League Indians lost to the Giants 6-5.
— Sheldon Ocker
