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May 5--Buffalo Bisons outfielder Ben Francisco is going back to the Cleveland Indians, and this time it might be for good.
Manager Eric Wedge promised changes Sunday after another weak showing by Tribe bats in a 2-0 loss to Kansas City in Progressive Field. The first change came a few minutes later when Francisco was scratched from the Bisons' nightcap against Charlotte. Following the 1-0 victory, Francisco was summoned to manager Torey Lovullo's office to get the good news.
There's no word on what the Indians might do to make room for Francisco. But it's likely they will either designate third baseman Andy Marte for assignment in hopes he can clear waivers and come back to Buffalo or give outfielder Jason Michaels his outright release.
"Torey told me to be ready to play," Francisco said. "So I'll be there Tuesday [in Yankee Stadium] ready to be in the lineup if they want me to be. . . . I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I'm ready to be in Cleveland so I'm ready to run with it."
Francisco went 0 for 3 in the opener Sunday, dropping his average in Buffalo this year to .228. He's clearly been disinterested in Triple-A after back-to-back solid years that were capped by last year's International League batting title.
He was 2 for 6 in a brief appearance in Cleveland late last month and was stuck in Buffalo the last 10 days even though he could have been starting last week against the Yankees when Grady Sizemore was out with an ankle sprain. Francisco was optioned back the day before the injury, and by rule thus had to stay in Triple-A 10 days. He was 6 for 20 in that stint here.
"Baseball is a crazy game and things happen," he said. "I guess those 10 days weren't the right time for me. Now my opportunity is here and I have to make the most of it."
Francisco's time in Buffalo began with four games at the end of the 2005 season and last year he posted a .318 average to become the franchise's first batting champ since Mark Ryal in 1990.
Francisco has 292 hits for the Herd, ninth on the franchise's modern-era list. His 63 doubles are tied for fourth and his 51 steals are tied for sixth.
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Charlotte reliever Joe Winkelsas, the Bishop Timon-St. Jude product, was not used in either game Sunday by the Knights. Charlotte needed just one reliever in both ends of the twinbill as starters Jack Egbert and Rob Bell each went five innings.
Bell, who won nine games for the Bisons in 1996, was a hard-luck loser in the nightcap as he fell to 1-4. His throwing error on Brad Snyder's leadoff chopper in the fifth set the stage for the game's only run as Snyder eventually scored on Josh Barfield's looper to short right field.
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