Sizemore sent to Triple-A

08/30/2004 2:00 PM ET

Ludwick expected to fill outfielder's place
By Justice B. Hill / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Indians sent outfielder Grady Sizemore back to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday and are expected to call up outfielder Ryan Ludwick to fill Sizemore's spot on the 25-man roster on Tuesday.

The move gives the Indians a power right-handed bat, and it also ensures that the 22-year-old Sizemore, one of the top prospects in the team's farm system, gets at-bats. Sizemore had been used sparingly in recent games, and with the Bisons poised for the International League playoffs, he can get at-bats in pressure situations.

When the Tribe called up Sizemore after the All-Star break, he split playing time with Coco Crisp in center field. But Crisp has since played himself into a full-time role there. He did so partly because of Sizemore's struggles at the plate. In 89 at-bats in the bigs, Sizemore hit .213 with 2 homers and 15 RBIs.

The decision to bring up Ludwick, who is coming off knee surgery, ensures that Crisp will remain a fixture in center field. At Buffalo, the 26-year-old Ludwick was limited to the designated hitter role and hit .271 with 8 homers and 30 RBIs. Indians officials have said they didn't plan to test Ludwick in the outfield until they were certain his knee could handle the strain.

They did hint that he would likely be called up on Sept. 1, but the Indians speeded his return to the bigs to get Sizemore regular playing time.