CLEVELAND — There was a Victor Martinez sighting Thursday, with the Indians’ all-star catcher returning to the field but not the lineup in the series finale against Chicago.
Martinez, who has not started the last two games after suffering a mild hamstring strain in the season opener Monday, made a pinch-hit appearance in Cleveland’s 2-1 loss, flying out to left to end the eighth inning.
With the weather expected to warm up during a three-game trip to Oakland, manager Eric Wedge sounded optimistic that Martinez could be back behind the plate at some point during the series.
“He gets better every day,” Wedge said. “Hopefully, we’ll get him back in there the next day or two. We’re very happy with his progress, considering what we saw (Monday).”
The injury appeared as if it could have been worse, when after breaking for second base on a wild pitch, Martinez slid awkwardly and slumped to the ground before walking off the field without assistance.
Martinez said Wednesday that he was feeling better and had begun baseball-related activities, but had yet to run.
Backup Kelly Shoppach has filled Martinez’s vacancy, going 2-for-7 with a double and two runs in three games. He started Cleveland’s game-winning rally in the opener with a leadoff single in the eighth inning.

Thome’s old town

After a booming beginning, it wound up being a quiet return trip for White Sox designated hitter and Indians all-time home run leader Jim Thome.
Thome hit a pair of homers off C.C. Sabathia in his first two at-bats Monday, but went 0-for-10 with three strikeouts over the remainder of the three-game set.
In 37 games against the Indians since leaving Cleveland after 2002, Thome is batting .242 (32-for-132) with eight homers and 30 RBIs.

Next up

The Indians open a three-game series at Oakland’s McAfee Coliseum tonight (10:07) with Paul Byrd making his season debut against right-hander Justin Duchscherer (first start).
Sabathia (0-0, 8.44) will start Saturday (4:07) against left-hander Dana Eveland (first start), while Cliff Lee is scheduled to make his season debut in the series finale Sunday (4:07), opposing right-hander Joe Blanton (0-1, 3.86).
Cleveland went 6-4 against Oakland last year, 1-2 on the road.   

Roundin’ third

First baseman Ryan Garko is the only Indian to hit safely in each of the Indians’ first three games.
• Cleveland produced its lowest hit total since being one-hit in Detroit last Aug. 27.
• Jake Westbrook is 1-4 with a 5.06 ERA over his last six starts against the White Sox, dating to the beginning of last year.
• The Indians’ minor league affiliates — Triple-A Buffalo, Double-A Akron and Single-A Lake County — were scheduled to open their seasons Thursday.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

 

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