Catching up

No Sunday History this week, I apologize.

The Indians last week made another round of expected cuts. Brad Snyder is the biggest name the Indians sent down, he'll start in AAA. He really needs to have a good season if he wants to have a major league career. The others were NRIs reassigned to the minor league camp, and are Matt Ginter, Jeff Harris, Rich Rundles, Armando Camacaro, David Wallace, Danny Sandoval and Aaron Herr. The most interesting names in there are Ginter and Wallace for completely different reasons. Ginter was ostensibly in the mix for the last bullpen spot but was outpitched. Wallace was invited to spring to help catch. He can't hit, but he can catch well. Last season he was called up to help in the bullpen as a catcher and was generally well received by the staff. He should have a future as a coach.

Cliff Lee after a phenomenal start Saturday (5 IP, 4 hits, 5 K, 1 BB, 0 R) should be named the fifth starter before the Indians break camp Thursday.

Speaking of Saturday, it was the 15th anniversary of the boat crash that claimed the lives of Steve Olin and Tim Crews. The Indians are hoping to take some portion of the memorial in Winter Haven to Progressive Field as they break camp. That crash is one of the defining moments of my fanhood, unfortunately.

The Indians claimed lefthander Craig Breslow off waivers from the Red Sox. Breslow has two prominent characteristics. I've mentioned the first: he throws a baseball with his left hand. The second is that he's from Yale. He does strike out a number of batters, and would be an asset in the pen, but is also out of options. This brings the Indians to the maximum number of players on the 40 man roster, and perhaps more importantly, takes away the easy out for when Jorge Julio or Scott Elarton need to be added. Despite what I wrote earlier this spring, I don't imagine the Indians are keen to remove Slocum from the 40 man at this point. This means that Breslow may be moving on, or it may mean that Aaron Fultz' horrendous spring may cost him.

Rule 5 pick Matt Whitney was unsurprisingly returned to the Indians from the Nationals. Originally drafted as a third baseman, a lack of mobility partially due to a broken foot has reduced him to being a first baseman. Where he'll start will be an interesting question, as Michael Aubrey has already been assigned to Akron, which is where Whitney would otherwise be. It's possible they both will squeeze regularish time in there, with Whitney occasionally doing his Carney Lansford impression at third base and not stopping many balls at all.

David Dellucci has an unknown injury to his forearm, apparently it hurts him. However, signs are that he's feeling better and will break camp with the Tribe. He and Michaels need to be healthy at least through May so that the Indians can figure out if their platoon will get the job done or if an upgrade will be needed.

Tiger center fielder Curtis Granderson broke a finger Saturday getting hit by a pitch, likely ruling him out for at least two weeks of the regular season. I would love to point out that an injury to a player like Granderson highlights the lack of Tiger depth, but it doesn't. You're not going to do a very good job of replacing Curtis Granderson even if you are an organization of tremendous depth (e.g. the Rays). No, the indication of the lack of Tiger depth will occur if Jacque Jones or Zach Miner or someone else like that gets hurt and the team seems at a loss as to how to cope.