Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona visits Cleveland-area Little League game

Terry Francona, unfortunately, had to miss this week’s All-Star Game while recovering from a cardiac procedure to remedy

Of course, that turned into some good luck for area kids on Wednesday night.

We got this message and picture from Ken and Nicole Summers Thursday morning:

I just wanted to give a very special thank you to Mr. Francona! What a standup guy!

While battling health issues, which we all hope he has a full and speedy recovery, he attended a 12U Little League Baseball game between Avon and Tallmadge. He was there for in support of Avon, but every kid on both teams played with a little more gumption knowing there were big league eyes on them.

Tallmadge grinded out a tough victory 8–7 in a game that came down to the very last pitch! Then the boys got a great reward: Mr. Francona took time to shake hands, take photos and even sign a few things — including my son, Elijah’s, first playoff home run ball!!!

I was nearly speechless, and I never saw those boys more excited! All I can say is THANK YOU Mr. Francona for giving these boys a memory they will have for a lifetime! Get well and God Bless! What a guy!

— TribeVibe contributor Joel Hammond

I am sure you are right, Baron!

Dam! Sure wish we could have traded for Quintana. I think we had the pieces. We need a starting southpaw in the rotation and he would certainly have filled that bill.

So Tyler Naquin is in Oakland with the team. Feeling is Chisenhall will be placed on DL tomorrow and Tyler activated.

HB: You are right, according to Rotoworld:


Tyler Naquin to be called up on Friday


Tyler Naquin has joined the Indians in Oakland.
He's expected to replace Lonnie Chisenhall, who is headed to the disabled list with a strained calf. Naquin has spent the last three months in the minors, hitting .309 over 123 at-bats for Triple-A Columbus. He's already had success at the major league level, hitting .296 for the Tribe last year while finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Naquin will share time in right field with Abraham Almonte and Brandon Guyer.

Rangers could listen on Darvish and Hamels

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, there is "increasing buzz" that the Rangers will listen to trade offers on Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels.
Texas is currently 16 1/2 games back of the Astros in the American League West standings but only three games behind in the crowded AL Wild Card hunt. The next two weeks will determine if the Rangers are going to be buyers or sellers at the July 31 trade deadline. Darvish, an impending free agent, owns a 3.49 ERA, 1.129 WHIP, and 125/41 K/BB ratio in 118 2/3 innings (19 starts) this season. Hamels carries a $23.5 million guaranteed salary in 2018 and a $20 million club option for 2019. He also has a 20-team no-trade clause.

Cleveland Indians will open the second half with RBI leader Lonnie Chisenhall on disabled list
Updated on July 14, 2017 at 7:25 AM Posted on July 13, 2017 at 2:31 PM


By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the Indians resume the season Friday in Oakland, they will do so without right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall.

Chisenhall, who leads the team with 51 RBI, will be placed on the disabled list before Friday's game. The Indians will replace Chisenhall with Tyler Naquin, who opened the season with the Tribe, but was optioned to Class AAA Columbus in mid-April.

The Indians, who open the second half in first place in the AL Central with a 47-40 record and a 2 1/2 game lead over the Twins, lost second baseman Jason Kipnis to a right hamstring injury on Saturday and Chisenhall to a right calf injury on Sunday.

Chris Antonetti, Indians president of baseball operations, said Kipnis could be back sooner than Chisenhall. Antonetti said Chisenhall could be out a "few weeks." This will be Chisenhall's third stay on the DF this year.

Chrisenhall is having a career season. He's hitting .305 (57-for-187) with 12 homers, 51 RBI and a .953 OPS.

So This is the way the dominoes fall today.
Chisenhall to DL in Cleveland.
Naquin promoted from Columbus to Cleveland
Jordan Smith promoted from Akron to Columbus.
Greg Allen activated from DL in Akron. (Great News!)

Tito on Chisenhall and Kipnis: "They're not days away, they're weeks away. No reason to set a timetable."

Paul Hoynes
41 mins ·
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A's deny report that Sonny Gray, Friday night's starter, has been scratched. Trade deadline getting closer.

Last night was Gray's audition to go elsewhere. Did pretty damn well.

That's a very good pitcher, I am thinking the rest of the series may be somewhat more fun for us Tribe fans.

Sonny Gray Trade Rumors:
Indians Reportedly Interested in A's Pitcher
Adam Wells



With Major League Baseball's trade deadline just over two weeks away, the Cleveland Indians are reportedly one of the teams looking at Oakland Athletics starter Sonny Gray.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Saturday that the Indians "are among the teams evaluating" Gray ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Gray figures to be one of the most sought-after trade commodities this summer. He's got two years of team control remaining after this season.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the Chicago Cubs remain interested in Gray after acquiring Jose Quintana from the Chicago White Sox earlier this week. The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reported last month the A's and Houston Astros had "mutual interest" in making a deal.

The Indians got a firsthand view of what Gray is capable of on Friday night. The right-hander tossed six shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out five in a 5-0 victory over the defending American League champions.

Cleveland is in the market for starting pitching depth behind Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. Danny Salazar is on the disabled list, and Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin both have ERAs over 5.00.

Would you trade Mejia for Sonny Gray?

No

Paul Hoynes
27 mins ·
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Indians option Tyler Naquin, recall Ryan Merritt to bolster bullpen after pen went 7 1/3 innings on Sunday.