Rafael Perez News

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Justin Verlander already has "future Hall of Famer" stamped on his baseball card and has been in the history books for a year, ever since he became the 17th pitcher to throw two no-hitters. But on Friday night he came very close to entering a much more exclusive club than the house in Coopertown.

Hall of fame knuckleball pitcher Phil Niekro was on hand for Friday night's game as part of the Indians' alumni program.

Travis Hafner is in the Cleveland Indians' lineup, though manager Manny Acta doesn't have an exact timetable for the return of other injured players.

Grady Sizemore is progressing smoothly but odds are long that he will leave the disabled list when he is eligible June 3. "I doubt that he has enough time," said manager Manny Acta of the oft-injured Sizemore, who underwent lower back surgery March 1 and was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 4. "That's only 16 days.

CLEVELAND -- The Indians thought Roberto Hernandez would be here by now."His side, the people that represent him, were very optimistic that it had a very good chance of being resolved," manager Manny Acta said.

In the midst of its best start since moving to Washington from Montreal, 19- year-old phenom Bryce Harper will make his much-anticipated MLB debut for the Nationals on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Grand slam does itMichael Saunders hit two home runs, including a grand slam in the 10th inning, and the Seattle Mariners rallied to beat the Blue Jays 9-5 in Toronto on Friday night.In that dramatic fashion the Mariners extended their winning streak to a season-high four games.