The Indians were hoping that 31-year old lefty swinging 3B would be a new version of Casey Blake for them. All things look good in April as Hannahan hit well while also playing good defense. But, in May, Hannahan’s been ice cold with a bat in his hands. Hannahan has played in 21 games so far in May for the Indians and he is 12 for 69 (.174 avg, .463 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 0 homers and 3 RBIs. He has now played in 43 games for the Tribe so far this year and he is 33 for 146 (.226 avg, .656 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 4 homers, 17 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Hannahan better start hitting soon as the Indians’ top prospect (Lonnie Chisenhall) in playing pretty well in AAA this year.

When righty reliever Jose Mesa got to Cleveland he was a starter. That wasn’t working out too well for Mesa or the Indians, so they decided to make him a short reliever which really paid off. In 1995, Mesa was the best reliever on the planet. He pitched in 62 games (0 starts) for the Indians that season and he was 3-0 with 46 saves (led the majors), a 1.13 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He only gave up 49 hits while whiffing 58 batters in 64 innings pitched. Mesa pitched in 341 games (48 starts) in his 7 years with the Tribe and he was 33-36 with 104 saves, a 3.88 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Mesa is still #3 in Indians’ history with his 104 saves.

27-year old righty starting pitcher Mitch Talbot is ready to come off the D.L. and it comes at the perfect time due to rookie Alex White’s injury. Talbot pitched in 2 games (both starts) in AAA-ball ball on his rehab assignment and he was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Talbot started 2 games earlier this year for the Tribe and he was 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. The Indians need Talbot to be ready to rock as the Indians are rolling right now.

The Cleveland Indians have placed 22-year old righty starting pitcher Alex White on the 15-day disabled list due to right middle finger soreness. White has pitched in 3 games (all starts) for the Indians so far this year and he is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. The Indians have called up 25-year old righty reliever Josh Judy to replace White on the Tribe’s pitching staff. Judy came into this season as the Indians’ #19 prospect according to Baseball America. Judy has pitched in 16 games (0 starts) so far in AAA-ball this year and he is 2-1 with 6 saves, a 4.67 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP.

UPDATE: (5/23/2011) – White has been diagnosed with a strained ligament in his right middle finger. He is going to miss the next 8-12 weeks.

The Cleveland Indians have placed 33-year old lefty swinging DH Travis Hafner on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left oblique muscle. Hafner has played in 32 games for the Indians so far this year and he is 39 for 113 (.345 avg, .958 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 5 homers and 22 RBIs. The Indians have called up 23-year old lefty swinging outfielder Ezequiel Carrara to replace Hafner on the active roster. He has played in 37 games in AAA-ball so far this year and he is 45 for 142 (.317 avg, .824 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 2 homers, 17 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Carrera will likely get a lot of P.T. in LF for the Indians with Travis Buck a little gimpy right now.

UPDATE: (5/21/2011) – The new time frame for Hafner is that he will miss the next 4-6 weeks. This is a big blow to the Indians as Hafner was hitting the heck out of the ball.