Earlier this offseason, while playing winter ball, Cleveland Indians catching prospect Carlos Santana complained of pain in his right hand. After several examinations it was discovered that Santana had been playing with a broken right hamate bone. Although it was unlikely that the Indians would have pushed Santana, 23, to become the team's starting catcher after spring training, the injury certainly pushed back the timetable for him to make his major league debut. Santana, who hails from Santo Domingo, had surgery in Baltimore in early December to remove the hamate bone and began rehabilitation recently at the team's spring training complex in Arizona. Doctors said he should be fully recovered by the middle of February. Pegged as Cleveland's catcher of the future, Santana -- ranked as the No. 3 prospect in baseball by Keith Law after hitting .290 with a .413 OBP and .530 slugging percentage for Class AA Akron last year -- took some time from his rehabilitation to speak with La Esquina. So how is the hand feeling?
My hand is doing much better now that I'm in Arizona at the team's training complex. I've been doing a lot of hand-strengthening exercises. I've had a lot of time to rehabilitate and most of that has been spent doing strength work. My operation was different from having something like Tommy John. It's just a two-month recovery process. I came to the team's complex in early January to make sure I could be ready by the start of the season. Do you think the injury has set you back?
Actually having come to Arizona so early has helped me keep in shape. Right now I'm doing well and in almost perfect shape. Usually I come in a little heavy at the start of camp. I have a difficult time being in shape during the offseason. But since I have been here at the complex for awhile, I've been able to keep in shape by doing cardio and some bike work. What are your thoughts on the upcoming season, since many believe Cleveland wants you to be the starting catcher at some point this year?
I'm not really thinking about next season yet. I just want to do my work and when they decide to give me a chance to play then I have to take advantage of it. Have you had a chance to meet with Manny Acta?
I've spoken to Manny. The first time we met was in the Dominican Republic this winter. He's a tremendous person. We both happened to be in the Dominican at the same time and we set up a meeting. One day he had scheduled to meet with some players during winter ball and since I was there at the same time we decided to set up a meeting. He just basically told me to go and do my work. You were a third baseman coming up in the minors, how did you switch to being a catcher?