CLEVELAND — Fausto Carmona has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment.
“By all accounts, everything was good from (Thursday),” said Indians manager Eric Wedge of Carmona’s simulated game at Progressive Field. “He should be good to go early next week.”
Carmona, who has been on the injured list with a strained left hip since May 24, is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance Monday at Class A Lake County against Asheville.
The right-hander went 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 2007 but has been limited to 10 starts this season, going
4-2 with a 3.10 ERA. He was close to beginning a rehab stint three weeks ago, but suffered a setback while pitching a simulated game at Class A Mahoning Valley.
Carmona is expected to make at least two minor league starts before rejoining the Indians, possibly by the end of the month.  
In other injury-related news, Wedge said he expects Victor Martinez (right elbow surgery) to begin playing catch at the end of next week. The manager is still looking at an August return date for Martinez, who was projected to miss 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery June 13.  

Ginter’s the guy

Wedge confirmed that right-hander Matt Ginter would be promoted from Triple-A Buffalo to start tonight against the Rays. The Indians were expected to make a move following Friday night’s game to clear room on the roster for Ginter.
 The 30-year-old Ginter, a veteran of three big league seasons with three different teams, has spent the entire year at Buffalo, where he is 6-6 with a 4.14 ERA in 18 games (17 starts).
Wedge said Ginter, who made 33 appearances out of the White Sox bullpen in 2002, would make at least two starts, depending on the availability of Carmona.

Marte moment

Though third baseman Andy Marte entered Friday batting just .169, he had five hits in his last 15 at-bats, looking more comfortable at the plate.
“He’s made a few adjustments in his swing and I think it’s playing for him,” Wedge said. “He’s been getting to the baseball a little better. I think with Andy, consistency is the key.”
Marte, who collected his first and only RBI of the season last Saturday, is expected to see consistent playing time, but Wedge said he was far from producing a set lineup.
“I don’t think we’re at that point,” he said. “There are just too many question marks. We’re going to keep working our young people in and continue to make progress.”

Streak stopper

By beating Tampa Bay in the series opener Thursday, the Indians avoided their 11th straight loss, which would have accounted for their longest skid since 1928. As it stood, Cleveland’s
10-game losing streak was the longest since 1979.
The longest losing streak in franchise history came in 1931, when the Indians lost 12 straight under manager Roger Peckinpaugh (1928-33, 1941), but still finished above .500 at 78-76 and in fourth place.

Roundin’ third

Cleveland has a 24-22 record at Progressive Field and owns the American League’s worst mark on the road (15-31).
• The Indians have just 12 comeback victories after producing 27 through the same amount of games last year.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. 

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