26-year old righty swinging 3B Jason Donald came into spring training as the favorite to start at 3B. But, he fractured his left hand in spring training and then he suffered a sprained left MCL while on a rehab assignment for his hand. Donald is trying to make up for lost time and get back to Cleveland. Donald has played in 26 games in AA+AAA-ball so far this year and he is 25 for 83 (.301 avg, .806 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 2 homers, 9 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Donald got his first taste of the majors last year for the Tribe. Donald played in 88 games for the Indians in 2010 and he was 75 for 296 (.253 avg, .690 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 4 homers, 24 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. I could see the Indians dealing Orlando Cabrera when they think Donald is ready to return to the show.

28-year old lefty swinging CF Grady Sizemore looked great in April for the Tribe. Since then though, he has been awful. Sizemore has played in 34 games in May and June so far this year and he is 23 for 133 (.173 avg) with 13 runs scored, 3 homers, 11 RBIs and 0 stolen bases. Sizemore has now played in 45 games for the Tribe this year and he is 40 for 178 (.225 avg, .743 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 7 homers, 20 RBIs and a stunning 57 whiffs. Sizemore used to be one of the best all-around centerfielders in all of baseball, but not anymore as the surgeries have taken a big toll on his body.

The Cleveland Indians have called up 22-year old lefty swinging 3B Lonnie Chisenhall. Chisenhall was the Indians’ #1 prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Chisenhall has played in 65 games in AAA-ball for the Indians this year and he is 67 for 253 (.265 avg, .779 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 7 homers and 44 RBIs. Chisenhall played in 373 games in his first four years in the minors and he is 399 for 1,470 (.271 avg, .795 OPS) with 235 runs scored, 51 homers, 265 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Chisenhall is being brought up to start every day at 3B, so Jack Hannahan will likely move over to 1B for the bulk of his P.T. going forward. The Indians designated 33-year old righty swinging infielder Adam Everett to make room on the roster for Chisenhall. Everett played in 34 games for the Indians this year and he was 13 for 60 (.217 avg, .510 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 0 homers, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base.

UPDATE: (6/30/2011) – The Indians have released Adam Everett.

The Indians have released 27-year old righty reliever Jensen Lewis. Lewis pitched in 22 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball this year and he was 3-2 with 2 saves, a 5.14 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP. Lewis gave up 40 hits and he walked 15 batters in only 28 innings pitched in the minors this year which led to his release. Lewis pitched in 161 games (0 starts) in parts of four years with the Indians and he was 7-11 with 14 saves, a 3.68 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. The Indians essentially did Lewis a favor as I don’t think he will be out of a job too long.

The Indians have lost starting RF Shin-Soo Choo for at least a month after be broke his left thumb last night when he was hit by a pitch. Choo has played in 72 games for the Indians this year and he is 65 for 266 (.244 avg, .687 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 5 homers, 28 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Righty swinging Austin Kearns and lefty swinging Travis Buck will likely platoon in RF until Choo is ready to return to action. The Indians really need those two guys to step up as neither of them have played too well so far this year. Kearns has played in 31 games for the Tribe so far this year and he is 18 for 91 (.198 avg, .559 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 0 homers and 2 RBIs. Travis Buck has played in 32 games for the Indians this year and he is 23 for 101 (.228 avg, .624 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 2 homers, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Indians hope that Choo is ready to rock when he gets healthy as this has been a lost season for him right now.

UPDATE: (6/26/2011) – The new timeline is that Choo will miss at least the next six weeks as he will likely need surgery to repair his broken thumb. This is a big blow to the Tribe.