Ryan

Garko

Garko is a right-handed hitter, so the platoon the Indians have been using at first base won’t work now. Still, the club should give him a chance to play fairly regularly while Casey Blake is out, as it’s time to figure out whether he should be the starting first baseman in 2007. He’s worth picking up in AL-only leagues.

Garko has seven RBI in just 12 at-bats for the Indians this season. At this rate, he could pass Aaron Boone and Jason Michaels by next week. He probably won’t be a regular once Casey Blake makes his way back, but he’s worth using in AL-only leagues at the moment.

It seemed as if the Indians were losing faith in Garko earlier this summer, but now they’re hitting him fourth even against a right-hander like today’s opponent, Jae Seo. Victor Martinez’s presence would have likely pushed Garko to fifth today, but what’s important is that the club is showing faith in the right-handed first basemen. Garko is 13-for-41 with three homers since being recalled this month. He’s also starting most days, so he should be owned in all AL-only leagues right now.

Garko had a two-run double in his third major league at-bat (second of 2006). Inglett’s double came in his sixth at-bat since he was called up on June 20.

While the club was willing to carry Perez as a platoon partner for Ben Broussard, they’re apparently not interested in making that Garko’s job right now. He may return to the minors after Casey Blake or Jason Michaels comes off the DL. However, there’s still a chance that he’ll be the Indians’ regular first baseman for the final two months. It’s clear that the club isn’t thrilled with Broussard.

Manager Eric Wedge couldn’t be bothered to give Garko even a single start during his four days with the club. His time will come later.

Garko’s role for now should be as the new first baseman against left-handers. If he does well, the Indians could make Ben Broussard available in trade talks with the idea of making Garko a full-timer. Garko was hitting .255/.359/.433 in Triple-A. He should have a little short-term value in AL-only leagues, and the potential for additional at-bats in the second half definitely makes him worth grabbing.

“He has our attention,” said manager Eric Wedge. “We have to factor in what we’ve seen from him this year. We’ve got to talk about Ryan Garko, Andy Marte and others, and see how they fit in.” If Garko continues to perform well he could earn the starting first base job for next season.

Garko played in Korea last season and joined the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League this year. The 31-year-old hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since batting .091 in 33 at-bats with the Rangers in 2010. He’ll likely serve as organization depth at the Triple-A level.