Where: Progressive Field.

When: Wednesday and Thursday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio on Wednesday, but no TV Thursday. WTAM will carry both games.

Pitching matchups: RHP Felix Hernandez (3-2, 2.29) vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-3, 5.18), Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.; RHP Hector Noesi (2-4, 6.32) vs. RHP Zach McAllister (1-1, 4.15) Thursday at 12:05 p.m.

Season series: The Indians lead the Mariners, 2-1, this year. The Indians lead, 203-159, overall.

Mariners update: They were 4-2 at Progressive Field last year. At Safeco Field this year, the Mariners lost two out of three to the Indians, but outscored them, 13-12. Two of the games were decided by one run. Cleveland is the third stop in a four-team, 10-day trip for manager Eric Wedge’s team.

Indians update: Hernandez pitched eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts against the Tribe in Seattle, but the Indians won, 2-1, with two runs off closer Brandon League in the ninth. Jack Hannahan hit .429 (3-for-7) with two RBI against Seattle in April. The Tribe just finished a six-game trip against Boston and the Twins at 3-3.

Injuries: Mariners — RHP Blake Beaven (right elbow), OF Franklin Gutierrez (right pectoral muscle), C Miguel Olivo (right groin), LHP George Sherrill (left elbow) are on the disabled list. Indians — RHP Josh Tomlin (right wrist), LHP Rafael Perez (left side), CF Grady Sizemore (back) and RHP Carlos Carrasco (right elbow) are on the disabled list. Hannahan (back) is day to day.

Next: Interleague play begins Friday when the Miami Marlins visit Progressive Field for a three-game series.

Where: Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.

When: Thursday through Sunday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio on Thursday, Friday and Sunday; WKYC/Ch. 3 on Saturday; WTAM AM/1100.

Pitching matchups: Indians RHP Derek Lowe (4-1, 2.39 ERA) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (2-3, 4.45), Thursday at 7:10; RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-2, 4.04) vs. RHP Clay Buchholz (3-1, 9.09), Friday at 7:10 p.m.; RHP Josh Tomlin (2-2, 4.67) vs. LHP Felix Doubront (2-1, 5.29), Saturday at 7:10 p.m.; RHP Justin Masterson (1-2, 4.89) vs. RHP Daniel Bard (2-4, 4.83), Sunday at 1:35 p.m.

Season series: First meeting. Indians lead, 1,021-958, overall.

Indians update: They went 6-4 against Red Sox last year, including 2-2 at Fenway Park. Indians who hit well included Jason Kipnis (6-for-16, three homers), Travis Hafner (8-for-22) and Asdrubal Cabrera (13-for-39, four homers, 11 RBI, 10 runs). Tribe hitters entered Wednesday ranked second in majors with 3.97 pitches per plate appearance.

Red Sox update: They are managed by Bobby Valentine, who was a candidate for the Indians’ job that went to Manny Acta in October 2009. … Red Sox who hit well against Indians last year included Dustin Pedroia (11-for-37) and Adrian Gonzalez (11-for-38). Beckett was 1-1 with a 3.06 ERA in three starts. … Beckett recently dealt with lat tightness.

Injuries: Indians — OF Grady Sizemore (back), RHP Carlos Carrasco (elbow) and LHP Rafael Perez (left lat) are on the disabled list. Red Sox — RHP Andrew Bailey (thumb), RHP Bobby Jenks (back), RHP Chris Carpenter (elbow), RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (elbow), RHP Aaron Cook (left knee), LF Carl Crawford (left elbow), LF Ryan Kalish (left shoulder), CF Jacoby Ellsbury (right shoulder), CF Jason Repko (left shoulder) and 3B Kevin Youkilis (back) are on disabled list. RHP John Lackey (elbow) is out for season.

Next: The Indians’ six-game trip concludes with two in Minnesota beginning Monday.

 GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Gaudy spring training numbers can’t save a prospect from getting optioned to the minors with the Indians.

 It didn’t keep Lonnie Chisenhall in big league camp last spring even though he hit .500 (13-for-26) with two doubles, one triple, two homers and five RBI.

 Left-hander Scott Barnes doesn’t hit for a living, but he did put up impressive numbers this spring and was still option to the minors Thursday morning along with Nick Weglarz, Thomas Neal and Danny Salazar.

 Barnes pitched seven scoreless innings in three Cactus League games before being optioned to Class AAA Columbus along with Weglarz and Neal. Salazar was optioned to Class A Carolina.

 In Wednesday’s 2-2 10-inning tie against the Giants, Barnes finished the game with three scoreless innings, facing the minimum of nine batters. He allowed one hit, but that hitter was thrown out attempting to steal second.

 Barnes impressed manager Manny Acta and the coaching staff, but Acta made it clear to reporters after Wednesday’s game that he did not have a chance to break camp with the big league club.

 ”He’s not competing to make our club out of spring training,” said Acta. “We do see him contributing to our ballclub, but we don’t know when. . .April 10, April 30, May, June? I’m being realistic.”

 Barnes throws a fastball, slider and change up. His velocity ranges from 90 mph to 94 mph. He missed the second half of last season because of surgery on his left knee.

 ”He’s has been very aggressive this spring,” said Acta. “He hasn’t been intimidated at all. He has a good changed up that we haven’t seen too much in spring training, but we saw it last year.”

 Neal and Weglarz missed much of last season with injuries. Neal was hitless in seven at-bats this spring. Weglarz hit .250 (1-for-4).

 He’s back: On Feb. 21, the Indians trade lefty Kelvin De La Cruz to Texas for cash after designating him for assignment. On Thursday, they reacquired De La Cruz from Texas, reportedly, for the same amount of cash.

 The Rangers needed roster space and offered him back to the Tribe. De La Cruz made one appearance for the Rangers.

 Take a look: With Casey Kotchman out with a lower back strain, Acta says Beau Mills will be getting more of a look from the big league club. Mills, a No.1 pick in 2007, isn’t in big league camp, but he’ll be used as an extra player in Cactus League games.

 There are 55 players in camp.

 Another look: With first baseman Casey Kotchman sidelined with a sore lower back, Acta says he’d like to see Beau Mills a few more times this spring. Mills was a late-inning replacement at first base on Wednesday against the Giants.

 The Indians made Mills their No.1 pick in 2007, but he’s struggled.

 ”He’s still very young,” said Acta. “No one here has given up on him. He had a good season last year. With our situation at first base, he’s a guy who is still in our plans. Just because we didn’t bring him to camp to begin with doesn’t mean we’re not thinking of him.”

 Acta said he’ll use Mills, 25, as an extra player from time to time this spring.

 ”I want to take a look at him whenever I get an opportunity,” said Acta.

 Mills, who is not on the 40-man roster, hit .269 with seven homers and 18 RBI in 35 games at Class AAA Columbus last year. He combined to hit 18 homers with 67 RBI at Columbus at Class AA Akron.

 Sellout crowd: The Indians have sold out their home opener April 5 against Toronto at Progressive Field. It’s the 20th straight home opener sellout for the Indians, the last 19 at Progressive Field.

 From a historical perspective, it will be the Indians’ 112th opening day as a charter member of the American League.

 Gates will open at 1 p.m. for the 3:05 p.m. start. All fans will receive an Indians magnet schedule.

 Today’s lineups:

 White Sox: CF Alejandro De Aza, C A.J. Pierzynski, DH Alex Rios, RF Kosuke Fukudome, SS Alexei Ramirez, LF Dayan Viciedo, 3B Brent Morel, 1B Dan Johnson, 2B Gordon Beckham, P Dylan Axelrod.

 Indians: CF Michael Brantley, 2B Jason Kipnis, DH Shin-Soo Choo, C Carlos Santana, 1B Shelley Duncan, LF Russ Canzler, 3B Jack Hannahan, RF Ryan Spilborghs, SS Jason Donald, P Justin Masterson.

 Injuries: Relievers Rafael Perez (left shoulder) and Robinson Tejada (right calf) threw simulated games Thursday and should be back in Cactus League action this weekend or next week. . .First baseman Casey Kotchman (back) swung the bat in soft toss Thursday. Acta says he’s getting closer to game action. Kotchman has missed five days. . .The White Sox scratched Adam Dunn from Thursday’s lineup with a stiff neck. . .Carlos Carrasco (Tommy John surgery) was placed on the 60-day disabled list to open a spot on the Tribe’s 40-man roster. 

 Baseball breakfast: The Plain Dealer is holding its annual Opening Day breakfast to talk Indians baseball. It’s $25 a person from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at The Plain Dealer.

 There will be a breakfast buffet with door prizes.

 Terry Pluto, Dennis Manoloff and Paul Hoynes will take questions. To register go to plaindealer.com/homeopener. For questions call 216-999-4028.

 Next: Kevin Slowey will face Garret Richards of the Angels on Friday in Tempe, Ariz. Game will be on indians.com webcast. . .Thursday’s game between the Tribe and White Sox can be seen on SportsTime Ohio at 4:05 p.m. ET. WTAM will carry the game, but the broadcast will be delayed.

In July in 2009 baseball season, the Cleveland Indians were going nowhere in the standings. With free agency still a year away on their best hitter, Victor Martinez, and best pitcher, Cliff Lee, the Indians decided to trade both players.

When they made the two controversial trades, then-Indians general manager Mark Shapiro talked about not contending again until 2012.

Well it’s 2012, and the Indians are talking once again about contending for the American League Central Division. Now that the dust has settled, let’s see if these two enormous trades have helped catapult the Indians back in to contention like Shapiro hoped they would.

The first of these two trades made that summer was the Lee trade on July 29, 2009. Lee was coming off a Cy Young year in 2008 and might have been baseball’s best pitcher again in 2009.

The Phillies sent the Indians pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, and then two position players, Jason Donald and Lou Marson. The prize of the group was supposed to be Knapp. Knapp was a hard throwing right-hander who was only 18 years old. The critics at the time screamed loud that Shapiro should have gotten more back for a pitcher like Lee.

Now looking back three seasons later, it appears the critics were correct in saying the Indians should have gotten more back from Lee. Knapp hurt his shoulder again in 2011 and had his second major shoulder surgery since the Indians traded for him. The Indians are hoping he will pitch again in 2012.

Carrasco actually pitched for the Indians in 2011, but he was shut down with elbow soreness after starting 21 games. On Sept. 6, 2011, the Indians announced that Carrasco would need Tommy John surgery and could miss up to 18 months.

Marson and Donald actually look to be solid major-league role players. Marson is a solid defensive catcher but not a great offensive player. He will back up starting catcher Carlos Santana in 2012.

Donald has a solid bat and can pretty much play anywhere in the infield besides first base. During the winter, the Indians decided that Donald would learn how to play some outfield and make him a so-called super utility player.

The second trade was the Martinez deal on July 31, 2009. Martinez was a beloved player in Cleveland, and the Indians took a beating from the fans for trading him to the Red Sox.

In return, the Tribe received three pitchers: Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price. This was a trade that was less criticized than the Lee trade. But many of the so-called experts said the Indians should have gotten much more back from the Red Sox.

Now looking back at this specific trade three seasons later, this trade is starting to look like a good one for the Indians. Masterson developed into a top-of-the-rotation starter last year for the Indians, winning 12 games and having a really nice 3.12 ERA. On March 2, Indians manager Manny Acta announced that Masterson would be his 2012 opening day starter.

Hagadone was considered the prize of this trade. The big southpaw made his major league debut late in the 2011 season. Before the Indians acquired him, he was already coming off Tommy John surgery, so that’s why it’s taken him a bit longer to get to Cleveland. The Indians have now made him into a left-handed, late-inning relief pitcher. After having a great season for Triple AAA Columbus in 2011, the Indians believe he could make the team and be coming out of the bullpen in 2012.

Price was the youngest of the three pitchers they received from the Red Sox, and he hasn’t made it to Cleveland yet. Price is just 25, and if not for the injury that sidelined him early in 2011, he too might be already in Cleveland. Once healthy, Price pitched well in Double AA Akron last year and should be in Triple AAA Columbus to start the 2012 season. If any injuries arise this season, Price could be an option to get called up.

There is no denying that both these trades have brought contributing players to the Indians. But so far, all you really have to show for trading one of baseball’s best pitchers in Lee is two role players in Donald and Marson.

But while the Lee trade might have bombed, the Martinez trade looks to be a winner. Masterson has developed into the Indians’ most reliable starter, and Hagadone and Price look to be valuable relief pitchers in the very near future.

Del Yates is a 3rd generation Cleveland Indians fan. He grew up watching the Indians and has attended hundreds of games Cleveland Indians games. @YahooYates.

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