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Martinez set to return as Indians visit Angels

Apr 7, 2008 - 1:25 PM Cleveland (3-3) at La Angels (4-3) 10:05 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Indians hope to get a boost from the return of All-Star catcher Victor Martinez on Monday as they visit the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the opener of a three-game series.

Martinez, who led Cleveland in all three major offensive categories last season, has missed the last five games after injuring his left hamstring in a 10-8 Opening Day victory over the Chicago White Sox on March 31.

Martinez, who hit .301 with 25 home runs and 114 RBI last season, will test out the injury prior to the game.

"We're going to have him come in early, take early (batting practice) and let him run the bases," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "If he's OK, he's in the lineup (Monday) night."

Martinez's return would be a big lift for the Indians, who scored just six runs in dropping two of three to Oakland over the weekend.

Fausto Carmona (1-0, 1.29 ERA) will look for another strong showing after allowing just one run and four hits in seven innings of a 7-2 victory over the White Sox on Wednesday.

The Angels will counter with Joe Saunders (1-0, 0.00), who was dominant in his first start of the season. The lefthander held the Minnesota Twins to just four hits in eight innings of a 1-0 victory on Wednesday.

Los Angeles, which dropped two of three to Texas over the weekend, has not gotten much production out of slugger Vladimir Guerrero thus far. Guerrero is mired in a 3-for-20 slump and has yet to homer this season.