Tony%2520Lastoria Archive

Smoke Signals is back on the cyberwaves tonight from 10:00pm – 11:00pm EST. In tonight's episode, Tony and Jim discuss the results of the first game of a brief but big two-game set with the Detroit Tigers. In addition to that they will discuss what may have been the best offseason move by the Indians flipping Esmil Rogers for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes, the rebound of Ubaldo Jimenez and his important start coming up against Justin Verlander on Wednesday, who is hot in the minors, and more!

The Indians just passed the quarter pole in their season, which is typically the time when everyone will reassess the team. Sitting at 24-17 and winners of 16 of their last 20 games, the Indians are playing well and hitting on all cylinders. They are right on pace with the starts they had in 2011 and 2012 before they fizzled in each of those seasons, so will this season be any different? Tony touches on that as he takes a quick look at things at the quarter pole, and he also touches on the key components to their turnaround, the decision to send down Lonnie Chisenhall, what Trevor Bauer need to do to stay permanently in Cleveland, and more.

In this week’s week-ending edition of Minor Happenings, Tony provides a bevy of updates on the walking wounded in the Indians system with players such as Alex Monsalve, Chen-Chang Lee, Shawn Armstrong, Joey Wendle and a half a dozen others. On top of that he provides several comments and insight from the Indians front office on players at Low-A Lake County like Anthony Santander, Eric Haase and others. He also touches on the recent good play of outfielder Tim Fedroff and his big league chances, and provides insight and analysis on the likes of Jeremy Hermida, Jesus Aguilar, Cody Anderson, Jeremy Lucas and others.

In this week’s first edition of the Happenings, I provide an update on what is going on out in Arizona with several players participating in extended spring training. I recently had a chance to sit down with the player development staff and discuss several players and I provide lots of comments from them on players such as D’Vone McClure, Josh McAdams, Tyler Booth, Kieran Lovegrove, Luis Lugo, Dillon Howard, and more. I also provide the details on Cord Phelps’ new role, the plans for Danny Salazar this season, and insight and info on the likes of Tim Fedroff, Jordan Cooper, Enosil Tejeda, Jake Sisco and more.

Smoke Signals is back on the cyberwaves tonight from 10:00pm – 11:00pm EST. In tonight's episode, Tony and Jim discuss the Indians recent run to first place and if the hitting, pitching and defense that have all been stellar of late can stay that way, the recent demotion of Lonnie Chisenhall, some thoughts on the bullpen involving David Huff and Nick Hagadone, and even some minor league updates.

The IBI Hot List is back for another week and recaps the hot (and some cold) performances in the Indians system over the past week. This week Tony provides some insight and info on the recent hot performances from the likes of Danny Salazar, Ryan Merritt, Dylan Baker, Nick Pasquale, Justin Toole, D.J. Brown and others, and yes, he also looks at the recent cold showings from the likes of Dorssys Paulino, Ronny Rodriguez, Elvis Araujo, and others.

On Monday morning the Cleveland Indians announced that they have optioned struggling third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to Triple-A Columbus and replaced him on the 25-man roster with left-handed pitcher David Huff.

The Indians are rolling as they have won 11 of their last 13 games, and one of the players that has had a big impact to their strong play has been the powerful bat of Mark Reynolds. Tony discusses the impact he has made and what options (if any) the Indians have of resigning him. He also takes a look at how Brett Myers is progressing in his return from injury and how the Indians may reinsert him into the rotation, he catches us all up on some old friends, and more.

On Thursday afternoon the Cleveland Indians announced that outfielder Michael Bourn has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and lefty Scott Barnes has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

In this week’s Minor Happenings, Tony talks about the rapid growth of Danny Salazar and his alleged promotion to Columbus and what he needs to work on. He also looks at the return of Matt LaPorta and if his showing to date is any different from last year, provides some detailed comments from the front office on Trevor Bauer’s progression as a pitcher as well as the 411 on extended spring training, and also provides some insight and information on the likes of Preston Guilmet, Justin Toole, Francisco Lindor, Mitch Brown, and more.

The IBI Hot List is back for another week and recaps the hot (and some cold) performances in the Indians system over the past week. The top 20 performances over the past seven days are ranked with some commentary, and the five worst showings are also ranked with some commentary there as well. This week I take a look at the hot showing by shortstop Francisco Lindor, outfielder LeVon Washington, right-hander Jordan Cooper, outfielder Logan Vick and others, and then also look at the recent struggles of shortstop Dorssys Paulino, first baseman Jesus Aguilar, left-hander Shawn Morimando and others.

Smoke Signals is back on the cyberwaves tonight from 10:00pm – 11:00pm EST. In tonight's episode, Tony and Jim discuss if some things are real or just a mirage. Can the Indians maintain their good play, has Ubaldo Jimenez turned things around, can Mark Reynolds' impressive power display last, play, and can Carlos Santana sustain his incredible start? All of that and more will be discussed tonight!

The Cleveland Indians announced that the club has placed right-handed pitcher Vinnie Pestano on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow tendinitis. To take Pestano's place on the 25-man roster, the Indians have recalled left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone from Triple-A Columbus.

Today the Cleveland Indians announced they have designated outfielder Ezequiel Carrera for assignment and recalled left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes from Triple-A Columbus.

The Cleveland Indians have placed a stronger focus in recent years to draft more athletes that can play in the middle of the diamond. One such example of this is the selection of outfielder D’Vone McClure in the 4th round of last year’s draft. At 19-years of age and 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he has the body, size, and athleticism that make scouts drool over his potential. McClure is in the process of molding all of that potential and Tony recently caught up with him in Arizona.

On Thursday evening the Cleveland Indians claimed outfielder Ezequiel Carrera off waivers from Philadelphia. To make room on the club's 40-man roster the Indians esiganted first baseman Mike McDade for assignment.