Major League Baseball
AL notebook: Indians call up Cascade High's Grady Sizemore

Grady Sizemore popped out in his only at-bat.

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Outfielder Grady Sizemore, a graduate of Cascade High School in Everett, was recalled from the minor leagues yesterday by the Cleveland Indians.

He entered Cleveland's 14-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox in the ninth inning as a defensive replacement and later popped out in his first major-league at-bat to end the game.

After struggling early this season, Sizemore hit .292 with seven homers and 49 run batted in in 95 games at Class AAA Buffalo. The Indians view the 21-year-old as one of their future starters and stars. He entered this season ranked by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in Cleveland's minor-league system after being No. 7 in the spring of 2003.

"He was ready to come up," manager Eric Wedge said. "He has been ready for a while."

Sizemore had an impressive spring training, but the Indians decided to send him to the minors so he could play every day. Since May 21, he hit .331 with 30 RBI and raised his average from .228 to .292.

"He has a presence about him and that's something you can't teach," Wedge said. "He has an old-school approach. He goes out there and gets after it and gets it done. No frills. He just plays."

Sizemore, who resides in Mill Creek, was drafted by the Montreal Expos with the 75th overall pick of the 2000 draft after originally committing to play football at the University of Washington.

He was traded to Cleveland on June 27, 2002, along with Cliff Lee, Lee Stevens and Brandon Phillips, in exchange for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew.

Anaheim: INF Shane Halter was designated for assignment. The Angels have 10 days to trade, release or outright him to the minor leagues. The team recalled RHP Matt Hensley from AAA Salt Lake for his third stint in the majors this season.

Boston: The Red Sox obtained INF Ricky Gutierrez from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named or cash. Boston also put INF Pokey Reese on the disabled list with a strained rib cage and recalled 3B Kevin Youkilis from AAA Pawtucket.
 
Chicago: The White Sox play 51 of their remaining 71 games against the American League Central.

Detroit: The Tigers placed OF Craig Monroe on the 15-day DL because of a left-hamstring strain.

Kansas City: 3B Joe Randa, on the DL because of knee surgery, hit and fielded before the game.

Minnesota: The Twins have received encouraging reports on rookie C Joe Mauer's sore knee, and he's expected back at the beginning of August when eligible to come off DL.

New York: 1B-DH Jason Giambi, recently bothered by an intestinal parasite, underwent more tests and did not play.

Texas: General manager John Hart will remain in his job for 2005, a year past his current contract.

Toronto: The Blue Jays say they are losing less money this season for owner Rogers Communications Inc. and could raise their payroll next season. The Blue Jays lost $5.48 million from April through June, Rogers disclosed in financial documents, down from $10.65 million in the same quarter in 2003. Toronto began developing its 2005 budget this week, and team president Paul Godfrey said an increase in player payroll from its Opening Day level of $50 million is possible.

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