News
Sizemore, Cabrera show off good health
Outfielder plays in second straight game; shortstop returns
Grady Sizemore led the offense vs. the Giants with a 3-for-3 day. (AP)
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
03/19/10 8:40 PM ET
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Center fielder Grady Sizemore and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera both marked significant benchmarks in their recoveries from injuries, past and recent, in the Indians' exhibition loss to the Giants on Friday. A 7-6 defeat to San Francisco (12-6), and hence forfeiture of their lead in the Cactus League, couldn't mar Indians manager Manny Acta's enthusiasm upon seeing those two regulars in full-throttle action. While Cabrera returned to the lineup for the Tribe (8-5) after having been idle since last Saturday due to a strained muscle in his left groin, Sizemore played on back-to-back days for the first time to essentially complete his road back from elbow surgery in September. Sizemore also led the Indians with a 3-for-3 day that lifted his exhibition average to .353. "He completed the whole plan we had for him coming into Spring Training," Acta said. "This was the plan for him coming back from surgery. He's now all set, ready to go." Sizemore struggled through an uncharacteristic 2009 season (hitting .248 in 106 games) before the obvious elbow problems convinced him and the Indians to shut it down in early September. Cabrera was scheduled to play only long enough to get one at-bat, but after grounding out against left-hander Jonathan Sanchez in the first, he talked Acta into being allowed to hang around for a second turn. That turned out to be revealing: After drawing a one-out walk in the third, Cabrera motored to third on Sizemore's single. "That was the most important thing, seeing him go first-to-third with no problem," Acta said. "And the fact he asked for the extra at-bat tells us he is feeling fine."Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
