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The Indians, who seem to be making roster moves on a daily basis, made a few more Friday, and because of it, they won a game. Outfielder Ezequiel Carrera was recalled from Class AAA Columbus, and in his major league debut, Carrera laid down a two-out, pinch-hit RBI bunt single in the eighth inning to drive in the eventual winning run in a 5-4 victory over Cincinnati.
Carrera's arrival in Cleveland comes at the end of a week of furious roster maneuvering by the Indians, who have been hit by another wave of injuries. DH Travis Hafner was placed on the disabled list Friday with a strained rib cage.
On Monday, Grady Sizemore was placed on the DL with a right knee contusion. Also during the week the Indians designated reliever Justin Germano for assignment, recalled infielder Luis Valbuena from Columbus on Thursday, and optioned him back to Columbus on Friday.
Outfielder Travis Buck was recalled from Columbus on Monday, and on Friday reliever Frank Herrmann was recalled from Columbus nine days after he was optioned to Columbus. Carrera was also recalled Friday.
Carrera hasn't even been a member of the organization for a year. The Indians acquired him from Seattle on June 27 of last year, in exchange for Russell Branyan.
Carrera is a speedy left-handed hitting outfielder, whose best position is center field. Manager Manny Acta said most of Carrera's playing time will come in center field, with Michael Brantley moving to left field. Acta said the Indians' best defensive outfield, while Sizemore is on the DL, is Brantley in left, Carrera in center, and Shin-Soo Choo in right.
NOTES, QUOTES
--DH Travis Hafner was placed on the disabled list Friday with a strained right rib cage. Hafner injured it during batting practice on Wednesday. Manager Manny Acta said Hafner will be sidelined from three to four weeks.
--OF Ezequiel Carrera's first major league hit was a memorable one. In his first major league at bat in the eighth inning Friday, Carrera had a two-out pinch-hit RBI bunt single to drive in the eventual winning run in the Indians' 5-4 win.
--OF Travis Buck missed his second consecutive game Friday with turf toe. Manager Manny Acta said he doesn't think the injury is serious, and that Buck should be able to play again after a few days off.
--2B Orlando Cabrera was back in the lineup Friday after missing a game to return to his home in South Carolina to become a U.S. citizen. "He's very happy. He walked into the clubhouse holding an American flag. I can relate to that, because I did it myself," said Manager Manny Acta, a native of the Dominican Republic, who became a U.S. citizen in 1999. Cabrera is a native of Colombia.
--RHP Alex White was removed from Friday's game after the third inning due to soreness in his right middle finger. Manager Manny Acta said White will have an MRI on the finger Saturday.
BY THE NUMBERS: 6 -- Number of consecutive last at bat wins for the Indians at Progressive Field.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We never feel like we're out of any game. That's a good feeling to have." -- Manager Manny Acta.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Alex White (soreness in his right middle finger) left the May 20 game and will have an MRI on May 21.
--OF Travis Buck (sore left big toe) did not play May 19-20.
--DH Travis Hafner (strained right oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 18.
--CF Grady Sizemore (bruised right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 11.
--RHP Mitch Talbot (strained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He threw a bullpen session May 3, and he pitched in extended spring training May 9. He made a rehab start for Class AAA Columbus on May 14, and he pitched for Columbus again May 19.
--INF Jared Goedert (strained abdominal muscle) went on the 60-day disabled list March 30. He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Akron on May 10.
--OF Trevor Crowe (right shoulder surgery in March 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list March 30. He will be out until at least late July.
