CLEVELAND — As has been the case far too often for the Indians’ liking this season, head trainer Lonnie Soloff met with reporters prior to Wednesday’s game to give updates on players currently on the disabled list:
♦ Grady Sizemore (left elbow inflammation) — Soloff said Sizemore has responded well to rest and could begin baseball activities in another week. Sizemore, who will undergo an MRI and examination Monday, could still be facing surgery if symptoms exist at the end of the two-week period.
“It’s hard to say at this point,” Soloff said. “We’re happy with the way (the elbow) has responded thus far.”
♦ Asdrubal Cabrera (left shoulder sprain) — Is expected to begin running and taking groundballs this weekend. If he is symptom-free after that, Soloff said the infielder should progress quickly.
♦ Jake Westbrook (Tommy John surgery right elbow) — Is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance today for Double-A Akron (four innings) after pitching three scoreless innings in his first. He is still on track to return to Cleveland’s rotation some time this month.
♦ Rafael Betancourt (right groin strain) — According to Soloff, the reliever has been limited to aquatic therapy, but will begin land-based activity soon.
♦ Aaron Laffey (right oblique strain) — Threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and is scheduled to throw a 40-pitch bullpen session today. Soloff said the team is hoping the left-hander can return late this month or in early July.
♦ Anthony Reyes (right elbow inflammation) — Is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday in Los Angeles by renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lewis Yocum. He is expected to have the ulnar nerve relocated, but if Yocum deems it necessary, Reyes will have the ulnar ligament replaced (Tommy John surgery), which could sideline the pitcher for six months.
♦ Scott Lewis (left elbow strain) — The team’s fifth starter on opening day is scheduled to make his first official rehab appearance (three innings) for Single-A Lake County today. The left-hander, who made just one start before sustaining the injury, had been rehabbing in Goodyear, Ariz.

Pronk’s progress

As expected, the Indians plan on easing Travis Hafner back now that he has returned from the disabled list.
“I think early on volume-wise, we won’t take him any more than two out of three days,” said Indians manager Eric Wedge. “We hope everything is a progression. We want to stay away from that fatigue level because that’s what affects his swing.”
Hafner was in the lineup Wednesday for the fourth time in five games since his activation, which means it’s likely that he won’t play in the series finale tonight. He went 2-for-12 with a double, a home run and an RBI in his first three games back.

Draft days

Day 2 of the First-Year Player Draft was completed Wednesday, the Indians taking pitchers with 20 of their first 30 picks over the first two days, including two with local ties — Kent State right-hander Kyle Smith (20th round) and right-hander Michael Hamann (24th round), who resides in Port Clinton and attended Danbury High School in Lakeside.
Cleveland’s director of scouting, Brad Grant, said the club would begin negotiating immediately with its draft picks that are not still playing, which excludes the top two selections, RHP Alex White (15th overall out of the University of North Carolina) and OF Jason Kipnis (58th overall out of Arizona State). UNC and ASU meet in the College World Series on Sunday.
The draft ends today with rounds 31-50.

Minor details

Columbus outfielder Michael Brantley is on a tear, entering Wednesday batting .351 (27-for-77) with two homers, nine RBIs and 17 runs since May 21 (19 games). The hot streak raised his season average from .233 to .275.
♦ Right fielder John Drennen went 3-for-3 with a double, homer and three RBIs in Akron’s 4-2 victory over New Hampshire on Tuesday. The 33rd overall pick in the 2005 draft entered Wednesday hitting .245 with three homers and 26 RBIs in 30 games.

Roundin’ third

Mark DeRosa entered Wednesday on pace to reach career highs in homers (27) and RBIs (113) with 10 and a team-high 42. DeRosa was hitting .292 (19-for-65) with runners in scoring position through Tuesday.
♦ The Indians entered Wednesday with a losing record (11-21) when they don’t commit an error, a winning one (15-13) when they do.

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