ESPN is reporting that Cleveland Indians closer Kerry Wood will miss the next six to eight weeks with a strained upper back. The Indians will use Chris Perez as their stopper as Wood rehabs the injury.

Wood first experienced pain in his back on March 10th and the Indians didn't think that injury was significant at the time. As the weeks went on the problem didn't heal, an MRI was ordered and showed the strain.

The Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers completed a trade for minor leaguers today. The Indians sent Chuck Lofgren, who was claimed by the Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft but didn't stick with the club, to the Milwaukee organization in exchange for Minor League Omar Aguilar. Aguilar is a 25 year old left hand pitcher who 3-1 with a 4.72 ERA and 14 saves in 41 relief appearances in Double A last season.

Lofgren Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus and went a combined 9-11 with a 4.15 ERA in 25 starts last season.

Baseball fans can now purchase single game tickets for the Cleveland Indians 2010 season, which kicks off with opening day on April 12 versus the Texas Rangers. Those who purchase tickets today, the first day of single game ticket sales, will get some extra perks, including:

• NO ONLINE FEES for all April and May games - including Opening Day, April 12 at 3:05 p.m. vs the Texas Rangers
• FREE PARKING in the Gateway North Garage for fans purchasing 4 or more tickets to select games (May 22 vs. CIN, June 7 & 10 vs. BOS, July 26 & 29 vs. NYY)

Grady Sizemore, who has been the Cleveland Indians' primary leadoff hitter for the last five years, is moving to the No. 2 spot in the batting lineup. Moving into the leadoff spot is Asdrubal Cabrera.

According to Sizemore, who says he's fine with the move, he had two discussions with the Tribe's new manager, Manny Acta, earlier this week. Last season, Sizemore played in only 106 games due to injury, and Cabrera moved into the leadoff spot and found success.

Sizemore told reporters at the team's spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona, that "..it doesn't matter where I hit" and noted that "I'm not going to change anything."

In the leadoff spot, Sizemore has a .277 batting average in the leadoff spot with 505 runs, 170 doubles, 34 triples, 115 home runs, 354 RBIs, and 121 steals. When it comes to leadoff home runs, Sizemore is the hands-down franchise leader. As a No. 2 hitter, Sizemore has a .252 batting average with 30 runs, five doubles, three triples, seven home runs, and three steals.

The Cleveland Indians and right-handed pitcher Jamey Wright have reached an agreement on a minor league contract. Wright, 35, led the Kansas City Royals with 65 relief appearances last season.

In 2009 with the Royal, he went 3-5 with a 4.33 ERA. Over 14 seasons, Wright is 82-115 with a 5.03 ERA. He has made 246 starts and 174 relief appearances, and in addition to playing with Kansas City, he has also been with Colorado, Milwaukee, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Texas.

The Cleveland Indians have announced that Kenny Lofton has been named to the teams Hall of Fame. The speedster was one of the key pieces to Indians AL pennant win in 1995.

"I'm at a loss for words when thinking about this honor as I'm so excited about being a part of Cleveland Indians history," Lofton said upon the announcement. "I never thought I would ever be a Hall of Famer of the Cleveland Indians. It's awesome."

Former Indians General Manager Cy Slapnicka was named into the "Cleveland Indians Distinguished Hall of Fame". Slapnicka was the Tribe's GM from 1935-1940 and helped find players such as Bob Lemon and Bob Feller.

Is it just me, or is it a slap in the face to Albert Belle who was the main cog in the Indians lineup that he hasn't been honored by his former team. The same thing can be said of former GM John Hart who helped take one of the most embarrassing franchises in the Major League's to constant contenders under his reign.

One of the biggest things hanging over the heads of the Cleveland Indians the past few years was the status of right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Choo is from South Korea, and by law any male who is from that country has to serve a military obligation. It looks like he will avoid his obligation by getting American Citizenship. Indians manager Manny Acta briefed the press on the upcoming season and the topic came up and he said:

"Nothing is finalized, but he's in the process of becoming an American citizen. I'm glad you asked that question. It was one of the first ones I asked Mark Shapiro when I interviewed for the job."

Choo was one of the big bright spots on the Tribe roster last year hitting .300, hitting 20 homers, driving in 86 runs, and stealing 21 bags.

The Cleveland Indians have a neat situation with their Minor League affiliates so close to the parent club. The organization has set up a pretty cool ticket option that will allow you to see the young minor league players along with the parent club with a ticket package called "Around the Horn". Here is what it entails:

AROUND THE HORN FOUR PACK is valued at $132 and will include the following for a special price of ONLY $74 (SAVINGS OF $58!). As an optional add-on for Columbus, fans can purchase a FIVE PACK valued at $160 for ONLY $94 (SAVINGS OF $66!):

Two tickets & concession item at each venue, good for any game in the designated months listed:

AROUND THE HORN FOUR PACK- ONLY $74

Cleveland Indians: Two Bleachers Tickets & $20 food credit
Good for any game in June or September

Akron Aeros: Two Reserved Tickets & Two Hot Dogs
Good for any game in August

It looks like Cleveland Indians fans will get to see a lot of Jim Thome after all in the 2010 season. No, the Tribe doesn 't look like it wants to sign the aging slugger who is parting ways with the Chicago White Sox. It does, however, look like the Thome will stay in the AL Central as the Minnesota Twins are expressing an interest in the left handed DH.

While the Twins are regarded as the team with the most interest in the 39 year olds services, Tampa Bay and Detroit are also showing some interest in the career 19 year MLB vet who is 36 homers away from 600 in his career.

The Indians signed another complete stiff yesterday. I am starting to wonder if Dolan's master plan is to make like a real life documentary of the movie Major League. If you haven't been paying attention, the Tribe has added the likes of Mark Grudzielanek, Austin Kearns, and Shelly Duncan as well as Mike Redmond who was picked up yesterday. If Mark Shapiro goes farther down the bottom of the barrel with his signings Willie Mays Hayes and Kenny Powers may be next in line for big league contracts.

Why do I sound so disgruntled? The Indians have traded 2 Cy Young Award winners in the past two seasons along with just about everyone else who has a right to be playing in the big leagues on their roster except for the ones that take very odd pictures of themselves. The added signings via free agency have a combined average of .246 and hit 6 homers, and 49 RBIs last year in the 684 at bats in the big leagues. Grudzielanek and Redmond are both nearing 40 and are closer to collecting pensions than contributing to a pennant.