CLEVELAND — Things have gone from bad to worse for Indians left-hander Nick Hagadone.
A day after being demoted to the minors, Hagadone was placed on the Minor League Disqualified List with what general manager Chris Antonetti termed a self-inflicted left hand injury. Antonetti said the injury occurred when Hagadone punched something after being removed following a poor outing Friday.
Antonetti said that Hagadone would be re-evaluated Monday but that he could be sidelined for an extended spell. There is the possibility that Hagadone could be done for the year.
“We’re certainly disappointed with the reaction to it,” Antonetti said. “He was certainly very frustrated coming out of the game. We certainly wish he would have handled it a little differently.”
Hagadone (0-1, 6.39 ERA, 27 games) made his big league debut this season with the Indians and pitched well at the start. But he had struggled as of late, posting a 14.00 ERA over his last 11 appearances, with left-hander Scott Barnes replacing him on the roster Sunday.
Hagadone will not be paid while on the Disqualified List.
On the shelf
Grady Sizemore took batting practice Sunday and has begun to run on the treadmill, but the oft-injured outfielder is not close to beginning a minor league rehab assignment.
“We do expect to have him back. When that is, we don’t know,” manager Manny Acta said.
(bullet) Antonetti said left-hander Rafael Perez (strained lat) would begin a minor league rehab assignment over the next couple of weeks and that he expected him to return before the season was complete.
(bullet) There is nothing new to report on the status of pitcher Robert Hernandez (Fausto Carmona), who remains in the Dominican Republic awaiting a visa to return to America.
Though Hernandez will likely not face a suspension upon his return and the Indians remain optimistic that he will pitch this year, it is possible that he won’t.
“Anything is conceivable at this point,” Antonetti said. “It’s hard for me to say.”
Make a deal?
Antonetti said the Indians continue to search for ways to improve the team, as the July 31 trading deadline approaches.
“There’s always a sense of urgency,” he said. “That said, it takes two parties to make a deal. You can only make deal when another team’s ready to do it and the values align. But there’s always a sense of urgency. Every game that passes is a missed opportunity.”
The Indians are reportedly interested in acquiring a right-handed bat, but Antonetti said he is confident the team could still contend without making a move.
“In the end, what we need most is for the guys here to continue to play to their potential,” he said. “And if they do, we feel like we have a talented enough roster to win the division.
“Im satisfied with where we stand at this point, but obviously we need to play better in the second half to overcome some very talented teams in the division.”
Next up
The Indians begin the second half on the road, opening a three-game series at Toronto on Friday (7:07 p.m.), followed by a four-game set at Tampa Bay.
Justin Masterson (5-8, 4.40 ERA) opens the series against the Blue Jays, opposing left-hander Ricky Romero (8-4, 5.22).
Roundin’ third
The Indians enter the All-Star break at 44-41, owning a 24-21 record at home. They hit .258 in the first half, while averaging 4.5 runs per game. The team batting average ranked 16th in the majors through Saturday (ninth in the American League). Cleveland’s team ERA of 4.50 ranked 28th in the majors through Saturday — second-to-last in the AL.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
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