CLEVELAND: Neither Asdrubal Cabrera (sore wrist) nor Michael Brantley (left pectoral strain) was in the lineup Friday night, but both are expected back soon.
“Asdrubal is doing better,” manager Manny Acta said. “He’s taking medication [an anti-inflammatory injection]. He’s available to play defense or pinch hit from the right side. Hopefully, he’ll be able to play by the end of the weekend. Same for Brantley, and he might even play Sunday.”
MINOR RESTRICTION — David Huff has taken Jeanmar Gomez’s spot in the rotation and will face the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.
But it will be three weeks since Huff started a game (for Triple-A Columbus), so will he be limited to less than the normal pitch count?
“We’ll keep him to 75-80,” Acta said. “In his two outings up here he pitched three innings, so he feels good. It’s not like he hasn’t thrown at all.”
Huff has come out of the bullpen to deliver six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk, striking out eight.
WHY THE REVIVAL? — Since July 1, Carlos Santana is batting .281 with 15 doubles, 10 home runs and 36 RBI in 221 at-bats, having thoroughly shaken his first-half slump.
“It’s been his ability to use the whole field,” Acta said. “He still has a problem being pull conscious from both sides of the plate, but he’s made a conscious effort to stay up the middle.”
TRIVIA PURSUIT — The Indians are 20-9 in one-run games, which ranks second in the major leagues behind the Baltimore Orioles (27-7).
— Staff report
