CLEVELAND — The Indians have set a new timeline for disabled starting pitcher Fausto Carmona (left hip strain), but little has changed with designated hitter Travis Hafner and his ailing right shoulder.
“He’s been staying in shape,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said of Carmona, who has started just 10 games and hasn’t pitched since May 23. “More than likely, we won’t see him until right after the All-Star break (July 14-17).”
Carmona (4-2, 3.10) played catch prior to the series opener with Cincinnati on Friday and is expected to work a bullpen session next week.
The right-hander was close to beginning a minor league rehab assignment before suffering a setback, and Cleveland is hopeful that Carmona will be healthy enough to try again before the break.
Hafner, who has been on the injured list since May 30, is further away from a rehab assignment after undergoing a battery of strength tests on his shoulder Friday and producing disappointing results.
“We feel like he’s getting stronger, but he needs to get a lot stronger before he can swing the bat,” said Wedge, who estimated that Hafner’s injured shoulder was 40-50 percent as strong as his left one. “I would think he would have to be at least 75 percent before he could get back. He just needs that arm to get stronger.”

Good company

Cliff Lee improved to 11-1 Thursday, allowing just a run on four hits, while striking out a career-high 11 batters through eight innings.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Lee is the fourth pitcher in franchise history to begin a season 11-1 or better, joining Johnny Allen (12-0 in 1937, 11-1 in ’38), Gaylord Perry (11-1 in 1974) and Charles Nagy (11-1 in 1996).
Lee entered Friday atop the American League in ERA (2.34) and first in the majors in wins and winning percentage (.917).

Book worm

Paul Byrd’s autobiography entitled “Free Bird: The Power of a Liberated Life,” has hit the shelves, with the right-hander passing out complimentary copies to his teammates and some members of the press before Friday’s game.
Heavy on religion, Byrd weaves in tales from his 11-plus-year career, including a final chapter concerning his HGH use and the story that broke prior to Game 7 of last year’s ALCS, called “Faith and the HGH Scandal.”
The book costs $23.99.

Minor details

Single-A Kinston RHP Hector Rondon was named to the World roster for the Future’s Game (July 13) during All-Star Game festivities at Yankee Stadium.
Rondon, a non-drafted free agent acquisition in 2004, is 5-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 15 starts this season, going 7-10 with a 4.37 ERA in 27 starts last year for Class A Lake County.
• Rondon’s rotation mate, RHP Carlton Smith, was named Carolina League pitcher of the week, going 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts last week. He is 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 15 starts on the season.

Roundin’ third

The AL is dominating interleague play again this year — 124-84 through Thursday — but the Indians aren’t following suit, owning a 5-10 record entering Friday.
The AL’s all-time edge had ballooned to 1,511-1,401 (.518), with Cleveland at 107-101 through Thursday.
• The Indians entered Friday night’s game having scored three runs or fewer in nearly half of their games (39-of-79).
• Cleveland third baseman Casey Blake ranked second in the AL with a .415 batting average with runners in scoring position and a .333 average on the road through Thursday.
• Former Indians and Reds pitcher Dave Burba was in attendance at Friday night’s showdown.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com

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