Published March 13, 2008 03:15 am - WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Juan Lara, working his way back from an auto accident that threatens to end his baseball career, remains part of the Indians.
Tribe Notebook: Tribe releases, re-signs Lara Injured hurler’s status unchanged as move amounts to paper work to clear roster spot
ANDY CALL Canton Repository
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Juan Lara, working his way back from an auto accident that threatens to end his baseball career, remains part of the Indians.
Cleveland cleared a spot on its 40-man roster Wednesday by releasing the injured pitcher. The team then re-signed him to a minor-league contract.
Lara was seriously injured in a Nov. 26 auto accident in the Dominican Republic. The Indians said he is undergoing occupational therapy at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland. The left-hander appeared in 10 games for the Indians in 2006 and 2007.
“He’s doing very well,” Indians assistant general manager Chris Antonetti said. “He’s starting to return to normal activities. We’ll continue to be optimistic and remain hopeful that, at some point, he will be able to pitch again.”
Antonetti said the 27-year-old Lara will be paid the same amount under the new deal as in the major-league contract he signed two weeks ago — just under $400,000.
“This puts Juan in the same position he would have been in,” Antonetti said. “We looked at multiple options. We felt this was the right thing to do for Juan, who has been a part of the Indians family for a while.”
n TODAY — The Indians host Toronto this afternoon at 1:05. Fausto Carmona is scheduled to start against Shaun Marcum. Aaron Laffey is scheduled to follow Carmona.
n SLOCUM INJURED — Right-hander Brian Slocum left his start Wednesday night due to a mild strain of the right groin. Slocum had just given up a two-out RBI single to Atlanta’s Mark Teixiera in the first inning.
n NECK AND NECK — Manager Eric Wedge said no one has yet taken hold of the race for the lone open spot in the Cleveland bullpen. “It’s still wide open,” Wedge said. “I think it will probably go to the end of camp.”
n CATCH THE BALL — Andy Marte’s defense at first and third base has been uncharacteristically rough this spring. “I think he’s been a little tentative defensively,” Wedge said. “I want to see him become consistent with both his offense and defense.”
n FAMILIAR FACES — Former Indians right-hander Charles Nagy and catcher Einar Diaz are in camp as guest instructors. Nagy was the pitching coach for the Angels’ Triple-A Salt Lake City affiliate in 2007. Former Cleveland first baseman Wil Cordero is also in camp as an instructor.
MEDICAL DELIVERY DRIVER NEEDED Seeley Medical, a respiratory services company, has a full-time opening for a medical delivery driver to setup home resp...>MORE
CLERICAL Collections $12-15/hr Customer Service $10-15/hr Office Asst $10-1...>MORE
DRIVERS WANTED DEDICATED ROUTES • Consistent Home Time • $1,100 per wk./avg. • Health + 401k Class-A-...>MORE
Dispatcher Needed in a fast paced busy environment. Must be available for various shifts. Apply within City Taxicab, 1753 West ...>MORE
PRODUCTION - FIBERGLASS Production - Fiberglass Must be able to transfer shift with short notice Recent verifiable fiberglass exp...>MORE
SECURITY OFFICERS Come Join the World’s Largest Security Company!Securitas Security is now hiring full Time Officers for the Perry, OH Are...>MORE
ASHTABULA AREA CITY SCHOOLS BUSINESS OFFICE
CUSTODIAN, LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL 2nd Shift, 2nd Floor, 2:00PM - 10:00PM ...>MORE
NURSING - LPN Full-time position in a 20 bed residential facility serving the MR/DD population. Apply in person: The Gables, ...>MORE
Direct Care Staff Residential Treatment Center Hiring part time direct care staff. primarily evenings & weekends. Must be able to pass bac...>MORE
QUALITY CONTROL Earn up to $100 a day. Evaluate retail stores. Training provided. No exp req. Call 877-218-6203....>MORE