Cleveland's plans to open the season with RHP Bob Wickman as their closer were derailed when an MRI discovered that Wickman sprained a ligament in his right elbow. While the sprain has been termed moderate, he is scheduled to rest for four to six weeks before undertaking a six-week throwing program. Consequently, he will open the season on the disabled list, missing the first two months of the season and possibly not returning until around the All-Star break.

Wickman underwent Tommy John surgery to replace the ligament in his right elbow in December of 2002. The Indians took a relaxed approach to his return from that surgery, hoping that if he did not push to pitch in the majors in 2003, he would be in shape for 2004. His spring was progressing smoothly prior to Monday when he felt soreness in his elbow after pitching. Prior to that point, the 35-year-old reportedly was experiencing some overall soreness related to his age and his decreased activity over the previous year, but he had not experienced any trouble with the elbow.

With Wickman at least temporarily out of commission, Cleveland intends to open the season with RHP David Riske as their closer. Considering the resources the Indians expended in acquiring RHP Jose Jimenez and LHP Scott Stewart, I might have handed the role to one of them in order to build up trade value for a few months prior to dealing the new closer shortly before Wickman returns. A couple months into the season at least one team will be open to dealing something of value for an established closer. Such a move also would help keep Riske's cost down going into next season. The 27-year-old is currently only on a one-year deal, and if he closes for all of 2004, his salary quickly will shoot past $3M. However, Riske has the strongest skills of the bunch and should pitch effectively. Unless Wickman is back early, I doubt the Indians will make the closer position available to him after he returns.

Yesterday, Cleveland claimed LHP Matt White off waivers from Colorado. White now twice has been taken from the Indians in the Rule 5 draft only to return to the club. Colorado hoped Cleveland would allow them to send White to the minors, but given the control problems he demonstrated this spring, the Rockies were not willing to keep him on their major league roster. LHP Javier Lopez set the bar quite high for Rule 5 picks in Colorado, and the Rockies did not have much time to look at White because he missed time this spring with a sore elbow.

Although White primarily worked as a starter prior to his first Rule 5 selection, the Indians moved him to relief when he returned to the organization last June. While at AAA Buffalo in the International League, White compiled a 34:16 K:BB with 36 H and 3 HR allowed in 42.1 IP for a 2.13 ERA over 20 appearances, including one start. Given Cleveland's starting depth, I suspect White will remain in relief this season. Barring a poor minor league performance, the 26-year-old likely will spend some time in the major league pen, though I do not expect him to break camp with the team. White will take the 40-man roster spot of LHP Billy Traber, who underwent Tommy John surgery in September of 2003. The Indians have placed Traber on the 60-day DL. Traber is not expect to return to the majors until 2005, as Cleveland wants the 26-year-old to take his time with his rehab.

The Indians signed RHP Roy Smith to a minor league contract in early March. After a solid season at AAA Buffalo in 2002, Smith fell apart at AAA Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League last year. In 72.1 IP, he compiled a 47: 48 K:BB with 77 H and 3 HR allowed for a 5.23 ERA over 52 appearances, including three starts. If he rebounds, the 27-year-old may spend some time in the majors as bullpen filler, but I don't expect him to make a substantial impact on the big league club.

In late October of 2003, OF-R Ryan Ludwick underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, which he injured in early September. He initially felt surgery wouldn't be necessary and was itching to return to game play before the end of the year. Even though the surgery was delayed, he originally was supposed to be able to fully participate in spring training. Unfortunately, he is still experiencing pain in the knee and has not been able to participate in spring training games, so he likely will open the season on the disabled list. Since he should have recovered well before now, predicting a new timetable is difficult.

Ludwick's absence from the spring scene has narrowed competition for playing time in the outfield. OF-L Matt Lawton supposedly arrived at camp in great shape and has secured the starting job in left field. While OF-L Jody Gerut is dealing with a torn rotator cuff, he is still scheduled to open the season as the Indians' starting right fielder. OF-S Milton Bradley suffered a minor oblique strain earlier this month. The injury reportedly won't prevent him from serving as Cleveland's starting centerfielder, but Manager Eric Wedge is planning on scheduling more rest days for Bradley in 2004 in an effort to keep him healthier. Bradley spent three days in jail this spring, as a result of failing to sign his speeding ticket when he was pulled over for going 52 mph in a 25 mph zone in August of 2003. The incident also resulted in a $250 fine, $177 in court costs, and an assignment of 40 hours of community service. Resting Bradley will open a few more at-bats for OF-S Coco Crisp and OF-R Alex Escobar, who both should make the team as reserve outfielders given Ludwick's injury.