Injuries have hindered the Indians' efforts to deploy a trial version of their 2004 team over the last couple of months of the 2003 season. Their disabled list currently features Milton Bradley, Victor Martinez, Rickey Gutierrez, Omar Vizquel, Ellis Burks, RHP Jason Boyd, Jason Bere, Dave Elder, Bob Wickman, and Mark Wohlers. Admittedly, Burks, Bere, and Wohlers shouldn't be with the team next year, and Gutierrez's injury may keep him out of baseball permanently. Boyd and Elder are hardly cornerstones, while Bradley, Vizquel, and Wickman all likely will be shopped, however injuries have opened a several roster spots, Cleveland otherwise wouldn't have available.

Boyd hit the DL on Saturday with tendinitis in his right biceps. The Indians haven't yet elaborated on his condition, so we don't know if he's likely to return when he's first eligible to leave the disabled list on August 28th or if they'll shut him down for the remainder of the season. The 30-ear-old has struggled with his command this season, compiling a 29:24 K:BB with 34 H and 4 HR allowed in 46 IP for a 4.50 ERA over 38 appearances. Consequently, the Indians might want to allocate his innings to a pitcher more likely to contribute to the team next season.