CHICAGO: A star was born the final weekend of the season. Then again, maybe not.
Jhonny Peralta started at third for the Indians Friday night, the first time he has done so since 2004, when he abandoned shortstop temporarily to play two games at the so-called hot corner.
But lest anyone is ready to jump to the conclusion that Peralta is about to make a permanent position change, Indians manager Eric Wedge said: ''We're a little short without Andy Marte. I don't want to keep running Jamey Carroll out there every day. So we'll give Jamey a day off, then he can play the last two games.''
Carroll, the Tribe's utility player, has manned third base since Marte suffered a calf injury Tuesday night in Boston and was sent back to Cleveland.
Wedge said Peralta's appearance at third was not an audition.
''Tonight doesn't mean anything,'' Wedge said. ''You can't make a decision on one game. Jhonny takes ground balls at third from time to time. And this is just the right thing to do with what we have right now.''
Peralta takes ground balls on his own; he has not been asked to do so.
Despite his inexperience at third, Peralta seemed ready for his assignment. Asked jokingly whether he had dusted off his third baseman's glove, Peralta smiled and said, ''I use the same glove for shortstop. I just hope I don't have to use it too much.''
Peralta has played eight major-league games at third, six in 2003 and two the following year, handling a total of 11 chances.
But during those two seasons, he spent most of his time as a Triple-A shortstop. However, in 2003, he played three games at third and in 2004, he played 59 games at third. In those 62 games, Peralta committed 14 errors.
Wedge told Peralta on Thursday that he would be playing third in the first game of the series against the Chicago White Sox.
''At Buffalo, I liked playing third,'' Peralta said. ''It's a little different than shortstop. You don't have to think as much, because the ball is on you quick.''
Whereas Wedge denied that Peralta was trying out for third, he did not deny that third base might be in his shortstop's future next year. It's no secret that General Manager Mark Shapiro is seeking a corner infielder.
''Maybe in the future, yes, I might play third,'' Peralta said. ''You never know what they are thinking for next year.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
CHICAGO: A star was born the final weekend of the season. Then again, maybe not.
Jhonny Peralta started at third for the Indians Friday night, the first time he has done so since 2004, when he abandoned shortstop temporarily to play two games at the so-called hot corner.
But lest anyone is ready to jump to the conclusion that Peralta is about to make a permanent position change, Indians manager Eric Wedge said: ''We're a little short without Andy Marte. I don't want to keep running Jamey Carroll out there every day. So we'll give Jamey a day off, then he can play the last two games.''
Carroll, the Tribe's utility player, has manned third base since Marte suffered a calf injury Tuesday night in Boston and was sent back to Cleveland.
Wedge said Peralta's appearance at third was not an audition.
''Tonight doesn't mean anything,'' Wedge said. ''You can't make a decision on one game. Jhonny takes ground balls at third from time to time. And this is just the right thing to do with what we have right now.''
Peralta takes ground balls on his own; he has not been asked to do so.
Despite his inexperience at third, Peralta seemed ready for his assignment. Asked jokingly whether he had dusted off his third baseman's glove, Peralta smiled and said, ''I use the same glove for shortstop. I just hope I don't have to use it too much.''
Peralta has played eight major-league games at third, six in 2003 and two the following year, handling a total of 11 chances.
But during those two seasons, he spent most of his time as a Triple-A shortstop. However, in 2003, he played three games at third and in 2004, he played 59 games at third. In those 62 games, Peralta committed 14 errors.
Wedge told Peralta on Thursday that he would be playing third in the first game of the series against the Chicago White Sox.
''At Buffalo, I liked playing third,'' Peralta said. ''It's a little different than shortstop. You don't have to think as much, because the ball is on you quick.''
Whereas Wedge denied that Peralta was trying out for third, he did not deny that third base might be in his shortstop's future next year. It's no secret that General Manager Mark Shapiro is seeking a corner infielder.
''Maybe in the future, yes, I might play third,'' Peralta said. ''You never know what they are thinking for next year.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.