Ohio… “The Heart of It All”

I’ll be arriving back in the Buckeye State today, but first I will present you with these “Clippings”…

* The Indians released 12 minor leaguers yesterday, most notably Stephen Head and Tom Mastny.

Head, a second round draft pick in 2005, played 74 games with the Clippers last year (.246 BA, 6 HRs, 31 RBIs). He missed significant time after slamming his knee into the outfield wall during a 2009 spring training game.

Mastny returned to the Indians after a season pitching in Japan. He is best known for earning a victory in Game 2 of the 2007 ALCS. He was brought in to face the heart of the Red Sox lineup in the 10th inning and retired David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell in order. The Indians, of course, won the game in the 11th and Mastny picked up the victory.

* The 2010 International League Preview has been released:
2010 International League Preview.pdf

* Also, here’s a pre-season edition of the league “News and Notes”:
IL News & Notes 3-25-2010.pdf I’ll post these each Thursday during the season.

* It’s been reported that Josh Judy has been shut down for a few days for precautionary reasons. Nothing official has been announced, but if Judy doesn’t start the season on the Clippers active roster, Steven Wright is a likely candidate to replace him.

* The official roster should be announced today.

* SportsTime Ohio will broadcast the following Clippers games live this season: Tuesday, April13 vs. Toledo; Thursday, April 29 vs. Charlotte; Thursday, May 27 vs. Lehigh Valley; Monday, June 14 vs. Norfolk; Monday, August 23 vs. Toledo. There will also be a package of games broadcast on “tape delay”.

* STO will debut the 2010 edition of “Indians Minor League Magazine” on April 27. The show airs each Thursday at 6:00pm throughout the season. Al Pawlowski and Jason Stanford will host and I’ll have weekly features from Columbus.

* Some important 40-man roster moves will occur tomorrow when the Indians make room for Jamey Wright, Austin Kearns and Mark Grudzielanek. There are currently 39 players on the roster meaning two will have to be removed. Stay tuned.

* Clippers Opening Day is Thursday night against Indianapolis. There will be a pre-game F-16 flyover plus the “Quencher Corner” with food and drink specials.  Order tickets here.