Fall Instructional League Set To Open

The Indians have opened their new spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., as players from throughout the farm system are reporting for the Fall Instructional League. Many of the organization's top prospects will be participating; nearly 60 minor-leaguers in all. The Indians will open their first spring training camp there next February after 16 years (1993-2008) in Winter Haven, Fla.

Among those ready to work under the Arizona sun is right-hander Adam Miller, who missed most of this season because of an injured finger on his pitching hand. He had surgery in June and is back throwing.

On Friday, Indians assistant general manager Chris Antonetti said that Miller will be considered a bullpen candidate next season. The former first-round pick has always been looked at as a viable No. 1 rotation starter because of his 100 mph fastball, poise, and good command. But injury issues almost every season has caused the organization to re-think Miller's future.

The reasoning is that possibly throwing 20-25 pitches every couple days rather than gearing up and throwing 100 pitches every five days as a starter will reduce the wear and tear on Miller, who has had elbow, wrist and finger injuries.

Miller is expected to participate in drills in Arizona, then play winter ball in the Dominican Republic.

The Fall Instructional League will run through Oct. 17. Here are the players expected to participate:

RH PITCHERS
Elvis Araujo; Christopher Archer; Rob Bryson; Jose Campos; Clayton Cook; Fernando Flores; Santos Frias; Jeanmar Gomez; Curtis (Trey) Haley; Joey Mahalic; Adam Miller; Carlos Moncrief; Alexander Perez; Michael Pontius; Zach Putnam; David Roberts; Hector Rondon; Francisco Valera.
LH PITCHERS
Eric Berger; Kelvin De La Cruz; Glenn (T.J.) House; Chris Jones; Scott Lewis; Tim McFarland; Tony Sipp; Brandon Taylor.
CATCHERS
Adam Abraham; Silvio Castillo; Chun Chen; Adam Davis; Matt McBride; Moises Montero; Roberto Perez; Rolando Petit; Carlos Santana; Michael Veladez.
INFIELDERS
Abner Abreu; Lonnie Chisenhall; Kelvin Diaz; Kevin Fontanez; Jared Goedert; Beau Mills; Chris Nash; Robert (Cord) Phelps; Nate Recknagel; Ronald Rivas; Niuman Romero; Karexon Sanchez; Mark Thompson; Jeremie Tice.
OUTFIELDERS
Trent Baker; John Drennen; Tim Fedroff; Lucas Montero; Tim Palincsar; Kevin Rucker; Nick Weglarz; Adam White.

Here is the schedule. Camp Day means that players will be working on various drills at the Indians' complex:

SEPTEMBER
Monday 22 at Padres 12:30 PM
Tuesday 23 Camp Day
Wednesday 24 vs. Royals 12:30 PM
Thursday 25 Camp Day
Friday 26 at Rangers 12:30 PM
Saturday 27 Camp Day
Sunday 28 Camp Day
Monday 29 at Royals 12:30 PM
Tuesday 30 Camp Day
OCTOBER
Wednesday 1 vs. Rangers 12:30 PM
Thursday 2 Camp Day
Friday 3 vs. Dodgers 12:30 PM
Saturday 4 Intrasquad 10:00 AM
Sunday 5 Camp Day
Monday 6 at Mariners 12:30 PM
Tuesday 7 Camp Day
Wednesday 8 vs. Royals 12:30 PM
Thursday 9 Camp Day
Friday 10 vs. Padres 12:30 PM
Saturday 11 at Padres 10:00 AM
Sunday 12 Camp Day
Monday 13 Camp Day
Tuesday 14 vs. Royals 12:30 PM
Wednesday 15 at Royals 12:30 PM
Thursday 16 vs. Dodgers 12:30 PM
Friday 17 Camp Day