Poised for their first plausible run at a pennant since the 1950s, the Indians lost two key players to injuries over the past two days, one of them for at least a month. And Albert Belle, their best hitter, is facing a 10-day suspension for using a corked bat unless he wins his appeal July 29.
Right-hander Mark Clark, at 11-3 the Indians' winningest pitcher, fractured his right wrist Wednesday night when it was struck by a line drive from the bat of Texas' Gary Redus in the third inning. Clark, stunned, dropped to his knees momentarily before rolling onto his back in agony.
Clark's wrist will be in a cast for four to six weeks, and the Indians have not projected a timetable for his return.
Second baseman Carlos Baerga missed the game because of a sprained right ankle sustained Tuesday night as he scrambled back to the base on a pickoff attempt. Baerga said he hoped to be back in the lineup sometime during this weekend's four-game series with the White Sox, but he was wearing a cast and on crutches Wednesday night.
"When I got up this morning, I thought it was broken," Baerga said. "I didn't want to go to the hospital."
X-rays revealed no broken bones, although doctors told Baerga he might have a slight chip fracture. "I might be out two or three days," Baerga said.
The injury interrupted Baerga's hottest streak of the season. He has hit in 16 straight games, going 33-for-65 (.508) with four home runs, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored while raising his average from .292 to .328.
"The way the season's been going, this is the best I've felt, and now I get hurt," he said.
The Indians recalled infielder Mark Lewis from Class AAA Charlotte after learning the extent of Baerga's injury. To make room for Lewis on the roster, they optioned right-hander Jerry DiPoto to Charlotte.
DiPoto, however, did not leave Cleveland on Wednesday night, and in light of the injury to Clark, he might be staying with the Indians after all.
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