Tribe Notebook: Choo on comeback trail

ANDY CALL
Canton Repository

May 13, 2008 03:30 am

— CLEVELAND — The Indians are just weeks away from being faced with a tough roster decision.
Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, sidelined since having Tommy John elbow surgery last September, will begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo.
Choo arrived in Cleveland on Monday from Winter Haven, Fla., and was examined by team doctors. He will work out with the Bisons today.
“We got the full (medical) report, and everything seems to be good right now,” manager Eric Wedge said. “His bat speed is good. He’s been moving around good. You still want him to stick with the program, but he’s on target.”
The 25-year-old Korean has been taking part in extended spring training since the season began. He just recently began playing full games in the outfield.
Elbow problems limited Choo to just six games with the Indians in 2007. He played 45 games in 2006, hitting .295 with 11 doubles, three home runs and five stolen bases in 146 at-bats.
The Indians said Choo can spend up to 20 days in Buffalo. When he does arrive in the big leagues, a tough decision awaits Wedge.
Cleveland currently has five outfielders on its roster — David Dellucci, Ben Francisco, Grady Sizemore, Franklin Gutierrez and recently promoted Jason Tyner. Choo is out of minor-league options and can’t be sent down. So, when he arrives, will one outfielder or two be shown the door? Can the Indians afford to keep five outfielders and 11 pitchers? Wedge wasn’t prepared to begin speculating.
“He’ll be up here when he’s ready,” Wedge said.
Left-hander Shawn Nottingham and Choo were traded to Cleveland by Seattle in July of 2006 for first baseman Ben Broussard and cash.
n INJURY UPDATE — Jake Westbrook (ribcage) will throw a simulated game today and is still on pace to be activated by the end of the month.
n NO MYSTERY — Wedge said LHP Jeremy Sowers will “more than likely” be promoted from Triple-A Buffalo and start Friday at Cincinnati.
n ZERO HEROES — The Indians shut out Toronto on Saturday as well as in Monday’s opener. The last time Cleveland recorded back-to-back shutouts was 2004. The last time for consecutive shutouts at home was 1982. The last time for consecutive shutouts of the same opponent at home was 1972 (White Sox, May 6-7).
n ON THE FARM — Single-A Lake County OF Matthew Brown leads the Captains in hitting (.303), home runs (three), RBI (25) and on-base percentage (.361). Brown was a 13th-round draft pick from Wichita State last June.

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