CLEVELAND — Ryan Garko didn’t exactly receive a vote of confidence from Eric Wedge when the manager was asked if Garko should be penciled in as his starting first baseman next year.
“I think he’s capable of it,” Wedge said of the 27-year-old Garko, who is batting .256 with 10 home runs and 70 RBIs in 119 games. “Sitting here today, I’m not sure how that’s going to play out, just because I’m uncertain of what the winter is going to lead to.”
Garko’s spells of inconsistency and lack of power at the plate this season have put his Cleveland future in doubt. The Indians were expecting more from him after he hit .289 with 21 homers and 61 RBIs in 138 games last year — his first full season in the majors.
He was benched in the midst of a lengthy slump for failing to run out a ground ball and though he has been hitting better as of late — .340 (16-for-47) in 13 games through Friday — he was not in the lineup for the series opener with Seattle. Garko was back at first base Saturday, going 1-for-4 before being lifted for pinch hitter Victor Martinez in the 10th inning of a 4-3 loss to the Mariners.
Wedge’s pregame comments infer that the Indians might be shopping for a first baseman this offseason, but Garko’s main competition for the job might already be on the team in Martinez, who is expected to play more first base next year after battling injuries for much of the season.

30-30-30 man

Grady Sizemore reached another milestone Saturday.
Cleveland’s center fielder, who already became the second player in club history to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season this year, recorded his 30th double in his first at-bat of the game.
It makes Sizemore the first American League player to hit 30 homers, 30 doubles and steal 30 bases since Alfonso Soriano did it for Texas in 2005.
Mets third baseman David Wright accomplished as much last year.
Sizemore is on pace to drive in 101 runs (83 in 130 games) hitting out of the leadoff spot, which would make him just the second player in MLB history to do so, joining Darin Erstad (2000 Angels).

Martinez MIA

Martinez did not start a day after being activated from the disabled list and playing for the first time since undergoing surgery on his right elbow
June 13.
He is expected to return to the lineup as the designated hitter or first baseman for the series finale with Seattle today, and will most likely catch for the first time during an upcoming three-game series against the White Sox.  

Pronk’s progress

Travis Hafner (right shoulder strain) was not in the lineup Saturday for Triple-A Buffalo, but is expected to resume his rehab assignment today.
Hafner has made five rehab appearances, batting .313
(5-for-16) with three doubles and three RBIs.
He will be re-evaluated after the Bisons’ regular season ends Monday, possibly being activated and joining the Indians on Tuesday.  

Roundin’ third

The Indians are 4-9 in extra-inning games this season.
• Cliff Lee, who will go for win No. 20 against the White Sox at Progressive Field on Monday, celebrated his 30th birthday Saturday. If Lee wins 20 games, he will be the first to accomplish the feat since Gaylord Perry won 21 in 1974.
•Nick “Mankind” Foley, of professional wrestling fame, threw one of the ceremonial first pitches Saturday.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. 

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