Westbrook, now with the St. Louis Cardinals, takes advantage of an off day to return to Cleveland and clean out his locker at Progressive Field.
View full sizeCardinals pitcher and former Indian Jake Westbrook was at Progressive Field on Thursday to clean out his locker. Westbrook was traded to St. Louis on July 31. He has no record and a 3.46 ERA in two starts for the Cardinals. Clubhouse confidential: Jake Westbrook, traded by the Indians to the Cardinals on July 31, was back at Progressive Field on Thursday to clean out his locker. The Cards had an off day. Westbrook will make his third start today for St. Louis when he faces the Cubs.
Westbrook played catch with Bart Swain, Indians director of media relations, during his visit. Wonder if he happened to glance at the wall panel along the right-field line in the upper deck that used to carry his picture and name? It's been painted over and now bears the likeness of manager Manny Acta.
Money matters: Baseball America is reporting that the Indians signed right-hander Cole Cook, 6-6 and 200 pounds, from Pepperdine for $299,000. Cole, a fifth-round pick, is the highest draft pick the Indians have signed since the June draft.
The Indians announced his signing earlier in the week, but said nothing about his signing bonus. The Indians went above slot to get Cole. The MLB's unofficial slotting system had him pegged at $169,200.
Teams must have their draft picks signed by midnight Monday or they go back into the draft.
Stat of the day: The Indians streak of 62 games with one or more extra-base hits ended in Wednesday's game when Baltimore's Brad Bergesen held them to two singles in a 3-1 loss. It was the longest streak in the big leagues this year.