Friday Game Thread: Justin Masterson to start vs. Rockies

The Indians head out on the road this afternoon to take on the Rockies. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 ET. There is no television coverage of the game, but audio can be found on WTAM in the Cleveland area, and also on MLB.TV.

Justin Masterson will start for the Indians, and will likely be asked to throw 6 innings, as he continues to stretch out his workload in preparation for pitching on Opening Day (Night) in Oakland, ten days from now (yes!). He will talk with reporters after the game, and you can expect most of the questions to center around contract extension talks having fallen through.

Cody Allen, Blake Wood, and C.C. Lee are also each scheduled to throw 1 inning in the game. Aaron Harang and Vinnie Pestano are among those who will throw some simulated innings back at camp this afternoon.

Today's starting lineup:

1) Asdrubal Cabrera (SS)

2) Nick Swisher (1B)

3) Jason Kipnis (2B)

4) Carlos Santana (3B)

5) Michael Brantley (LF)

6) Lonnie Chisenhall (DH)

7) Yan Gomes (C)

8) Jeff Francoeur (RF)

9) Elliot Johnson (CF)

Jorge De La Rosa will be the starter for Colorado, and he is a lefty. Small sample or not, it sure would be nice to see Lonnie have some success against him.

In other Indians news, David Aardsma has been releases from his minor-league deal. Matt Treanor has a pulled hamstring, and will miss 2 or 3 weeks. He had an outside chance of making the roster as a third catcher.