EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Martinez, Barfield to Rehab this Weekend; Barfield Arrives Thursday, Martinez Friday

Published on August 13, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - Cleveland Indians catcher Victor Martinez and second baseman Josh Barfield will each be at Canal Park this weekend. Barfield will begin his rehab in Thursday's series finale with Connecticut, while Martinez will start on Friday against New Britain. Both players are expected to be with the Aeros through the end of the homestand on Sunday. Barfield is expected to play second base for three innings Thursday and his playing time for the ensuing games will be determined from there. Martinez is expected to be the designated hitter on Friday and Sunday in Akron's series with New Britain.

Martinez is recovering from right elbow surgery and a strained left hamstring, while Barfield is rehabbing after surgery on a ligament in his left middle finger. Martinez was the Eastern League MVP in 2002, leading the circuit with a .336 average while hitting 22 home runs and 85 RBI for the Aeros. He also led the league with 84 runs scored that year.

Barfield appeared in just two games with Cleveland this year going 0-6 before his finger injury. He began the season with Class AAA Buffalo, hitting .255 (66-259) with five homers, 21 RBI, and nine stolen bases for the Herd.

Martinez hit .278 (55-198) with 21 RBI in 54 games for the Tribe this season before the elbow injury sidelined him. A season ago, Martinez was seventh in American League MVP voting after hitting .301 with 25 home runs and 114 RBI. In the 2007 playoffs Martinez hit .318 (14-44) against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox with two home runs and seven RBI.

Signed out of Venezuela in July of 1996, Martinez has hit .301 in his big-league career with 86 home runs and 416 RBI. His 78 home runs as a catcher rank fourth in Indians history.

The Indians acquired Barfield via a trade after the 2006 season, sending Kevin Kouzmanoff and Andrew Brown to the San Diego Padres. Last season, Barfield hit .243 with three home runs, 50 RBI, and 14 stolen bases for the Tribe after a rookie year in 2006 in which he hit .280 with 13 home runs for the Padres.

The Aeros conclude the series with Connecticut with a 7:05 p.m. start Thursday. J.D. Martin (8-3, 3.10 ERA) takes the hill for Akron against Defenders left-hander Ben Snyder (1-4, 6.92 ERA). It will be Pet Night at Canal Park sponsored by the Humane Society of Greater Akron, with fans encouraged to bring their favorite four-legged friends. All pets must have a leash and fans are responsible for any "mess" their pet may make. The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

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