IL notes: Sanchez, Diaz co-existing

Indianapolis manager Dean Treanor has a "problem" plenty of Minor League managers would love to have.

Most teams are happy to have one solid catcher on the roster. But when Pittsburgh optioned Tony Sanchez to the Indians on April 17, he joined Elias Diaz to give Indianapolis a pair of catching prospects.

Treanor's problem? Finding enough time behind the plate for both.

"We're trying to get them as many at-bats as we can, so we're taking advantage of the DH," Treanor said, noting his team will play games against National League affiliates in Louisville and Lehigh Valley this week, which would take away the DH. "We're doing the best we can.

"I don't think it's the optimum situation, but it's the situation that's here. They're both here, so we have to make the best of it."

The good news is that Sanchez and Diaz do not view their current circumstance as a competition.

"He's a good guy and I'm rooting for him to succeed, just like he's rooting for me," Sanchez said. "But it's tough and it's awkward. I'm an 'every day' guy and he's an 'every day' guy. But they have a plan in place."

For Sanchez, who already has a homer, three doubles and seven RBIs in his first six games with the Indians, the idea is to get enough playing time to regain his sharpness.

"Before he got here, he hadn't caught for eight days," Treanor explained. "So he's getting some work in and working on regaining his consistency. He had a great spring and had a chance to start the season in Pittsburgh. Now that [Chris] Stewart is healthy, he's back here. He just has to take care of his business here and make sure he's ready."

The 26-year-old Sanchez said he learned from the experience of being demoted last season.

"Last year, I fell into the trap of coming to Triple-A and feeling sorry for myself instead of working like I was up there," he said. "The good thing about this year is that I know I can't fall into that trap. I need to keep working hard."

Diaz, a 24-year-old who hit .231 with a homer and three RBIs in his first 15 games, is in a different situation as he experiences Triple-A pitching for the first time.

"At the plate, when he stays in his approach -- middle of the field to the right-center gap -- he's pretty good," Treanor said. "When he gets out of that and wants to pull or wants to get big, it doesn't work as well."

Diaz, who possesses a strong arm, has thrown out three of six would-be basestealers as he continues to refine his skills behind the plate.

"The thing that stands out is his arm. He has plus arm strength," Treanor said. "The thing we try to impress upon him is that it's not how hard you throw the ball, it's to make sure you get it there quickly. We're working on the footwork of his receiving and his throwing."

Treanor said both Sanchez and Diaz have approached the situation with the right attitude: work hard and stay ready because things might change in Pittsburgh.

"You never wish for someone to be injured, you want to get called up for the right reasons," Sanchez said. "Realistically, anything can happen. You prepare as much as you can down here and you wait for the phone call. You take care of business and do things the right way."

In brief

Colabello clobbering the ball: Buffalo 1B-DH Chris Colabello put together a big week, collecting 14 hits in his last 27 at-bats (.519) to raise his batting average 125 points to .367. He had three homers and two doubles on the week, giving him the IL lead with five long balls. With 10 RBIs in his last five games, he's moved into first place in the league with 15.

Polished Diamond: Durham LHP Scott Diamond has put together three strong starts, allowing 17 hits and one walk that has resulted in three runs, only two of which were earned. He's struck out six and has a 1.29 ERA, sixth-best in the IL to start the season.

Franco-stein monster at the plate: Lehigh Valley 3B Maikel Franco hit .333 in his first 17 games this season and has at least one hit in all but three contests. After a nine-game hitting streak was snapped on April 20, he started a new one that stood at five games before an 0-for-4 effort on April 26. Franco has a league-leading nine doubles to go with a homer and triple among 25 hits and has 10 RBIs.

He said it: "Just to be a part of it for a couple of days was definitely eye-opening and it's something that makes you want to work harder. Even though you know already, you really do realize how close you are to living your dream and fulfilling your lifetime goals." -- Norfolk RHP Eddie Gamboa to the Virginian-Pilot. The knuckleballer was promoted to Baltimore on April 11 in case the Orioles needed a pitcher that night, then returned to the Tides after the game, meaning he still has not pitched in a Major League game.