Indians option Santana to Triple-A

Mar 19, 2010 - 10:09 PM By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.(AP) -- This Carlos Santana makes sweet music with his bat. The Cleveland Indians aren't quite ready to hear it.

While he shares the same name as the legendary rock guitarist, Cleveland's hard-hitting catcher - and perhaps a future All-Star - will have to wait for his day in the spotlight. The Indians optioned Santana to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, one of eight players to be sent back to the minors.

Santana may not be away for long.

The Indians have major plans for the 23-year-old Santana, named MVP the past two seasons in the Carolina (A) and Eastern (AA) leagues. He is rated as Cleveland's No. 1 prospect, and by the end of this season he could be the Indians' No. 1 catcher as well.

"He knows he is part of our future and he's going to make the decision for us," Indians manager Manny Acta said before his club played the San Francisco Giants. "He's going down there with a timetable. It's up to him. He's going to dictate that for us. He's not a finished product by any means. He needs to work pretty much on every part of his game still."

Santana went 4-for-16 in eight games with two doubles, but the Indians have no concerns about his ability at the plate. He batted .290 last season at Akron with 23 homers and 97 RBIs. A switch-hitter, he also led the league in walks (90) and slugging percentage (.530).

"He's gifted," Acta said. "You don't win back-to-back MVPs in the minor leagues by just having it fall into your lap. He's a guy who can hit from both sides of the plate with power and has the ability to know the strike zone from both sides. The fact that he walked more than he struck out last year shows that."

Santana needs to work on his defensive - and communication - skills. The Indians wanted the Dominican Republic native to improve his English during the offseason so he can talk to pitchers or deliver a message from the dugout to the mound.

Acta said Santana has made progress in both areas.

"Calling the game is not a big issue," Acta said. "He did very well in camp. The biggest thing will be building a rapport with the pitching staff and having them trust him with what he's doing behind the plate. We're impressed (with his English). The kid took it upon himself in the offseason and made the effort to speak English most of the time. That's something that was impressed upon him."

The Indians also sent right-handers Hector Rondon, Jeanmar Gomez and outfielder Jordan Brown to Columbus. Brown, a batting champion last season in the International League, injured his knee early in camp and is expected to be out for another month.

Infielder Brian Bixler cleared waivers and was outrighted to Columbus. The Indians optioned infielder Carlos Rivero and outfielder Nick Weglarz to Double-A Akron and reassigned infielder Beau Mills to the minor league camp.