The Indians have designated relief pitcher Roberto Hernandez for assignment and he deserved it with the way he pitched this season.  In 29 games for the Tribe, Hernandez is 3-1 with a 6.23 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP.  He threw 26 innings this season and he allowed 33 hits, walked 16 batters and whiffed 18.  Hernandez will likely get released in 10 days unless someone wants to give the Indians a fringe prospect for him.  The Indians have recalled Edwin Mujica to take Hernandez’ place in the bullpen.  Mujica pitched in 22 games in AAA ball and he was 0-1 with 11 saves, a 6.35 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.  In 22.2 innings, Mujica allowed 24 hits, 5 walks and whiffed 23.

The Indians have placed Dave Dellucci on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.  Dellucci injured himself last night running to first base.  He has had a rough start to the 2007 season as he’s played in 54 games and he’s hitting .234 (.690 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 4 homers and 20 RBIs.  The Indians have recalled OF Ben Francisco from AAA to replace Dellucci on the roster.  Francisco has played in 61 games in AAA ball this season and he’s 79 for 240 (.329 avg, .869 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 6 homers, 34 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.  Despite the impressive numbers, Francisco will likely be the 5th OF on the Tribe.  Franklin Gutierrez and Jason Michaels will likely see their playing time get bumped up.

The one thing that’s holding the Indians back from having the best offense in major league baseball is the lack of production that the Indians are getting from their corner outfielders.  Trot Nixon was given a pretty generous contract by the Indians after an injury prone season with the Red Sox in 2006.  Nixon has rewarded the Indians’ generosity with some poor hitting.  In 55 games this season, Nixon is 45 for 187 (.241 avg, .664 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 2 homers and 23 RBIs.  David Dellucci was also given a very nice contract by the Cleveland Indians and he hasn’t produced either.  In 53 games this season, Dellucci is 41 for 173 (.237 avg, .697 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 4 homers and 19 RBIs.  Jason Michaels has been hitting well enough to steal some atbats from Nixon and Dellucci.  In 49 games this season, Michaels is 32 for 119 (.269 avg, .757 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 4 homers and 18 RBIs.  Franklin Gutierrez also could get some extra playing time if Nixon and Dellucci continue to play poorly.  Gutierrez has played in 19 games so far this season and he’s 8 for 35 (.229 avg, .650 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 5 RBIs.  The Indians could either stick with what they have and bank on improvement or they could look outside the organization to add another stick.

Josh Barfield has been swinging a hot bat lately.  In his last 7 games, Barfield is 10 for 26 (.385 avg, .855 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs.  Barfield’s season average has risen to .253 and his OPS to .632.  Look for Barfield’s numbers to continue to improve as he’s too good of a hitter to keep hitting around .250.

The Indians are only 6-7 the last two weeks despite outscoring their opponents 66-65.  The Indians have been wasting solid hitting lately with sub par pitching.  The Tribe enters this week with a 37-24 record which has them in 1st place in the American League Central, 1.5 games ahead of the Tigers.