| | Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians added two more names to
the disabled list Sunday and lost two center fielders -- one for the
rest of the season.
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| Lofton |
Jacob Cruz tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee
while making a catch against the outfield wall in Saturday's win
over the Boston Red Sox and was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
And Kenny Lofton, whose early return from offseason shoulder
surgery has been one of this season's best comeback stories, went
on the 15-day DL with a strained biceps muscle in his left arm.
The Indians recalled outfielder Jolbert Cabrera and purchased
the contract of outfielder Mark Whiten from Triple-A Buffalo before
Sunday's series. Cabrera, batting .338 for the Bisons, started in
center field and batted leadoff against Pedro Martinez.
Cruz and Lofton will join No. 1 starter Bartolo Colon and
starting catcher Sandy Alomar on the Indians' DL. Last season, the
Indians had to use their disables list 22 times with 16 different
players and were only able to use their opening-day lineup four
times because of injuries.
Cruz twisted his knee in the eighth inning on Saturday when he
awkwardly crashed into the wall after catching Mike Stanley's long
fly. Cruz was able to walk off the field, but an MRI taken later in
the day revealed extensive damage to his knee.
"Jacob's got a serious injury," Indians manager Charlie Manuel
said. "I don't think Jacob thought he was hurt that bad until he
got back to the dugout and the shock wore off. He was hurting
pretty bad."
This is the second straight year Cruz has been sidelined by a
season-ending injury. Last August, Cruz tore ligament in his right
thumb while sliding into second base.
Lofton, who had a torn rotator cuff repaired in December, hadn't
played since Wednesday in Seattle when he was removed in the ninth
inning with a cramp in his biceps. He visited Dr. James Andrews in
Birmingham, Ala., on Friday and was given the go-ahead to play.
But Lofton was still sore and had additional swelling on
Saturday, and instead of having him sit out for four or five games,
the Indians decided it was best for him to go on the DL.
The Indians also signed journeyman Jeff Manto to a minor-league
contract. Manto, who has spent part of the past three seasons with
Cleveland, was released by Colorado on April 22.
Cleveland also rescinded the April 28 option of pitcher David
Riske and placed the right-hander on the 15-day disabled list.
Riske has been bothered by lower back problems since spring
training.
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