CLEVELAND – Steve Woodard, struck on the right elbow by a line drive Monday night, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday by the Cleveland Indians, who can't seem to get healthy.

	Fryman

	Woodard

Just one week into the season, the Indians have four pitchers and their All-Star third baseman on the DL. And manager Charlie Manuel said Tuesday that Travis Fryman will be out until at least May 1 and more likely June 1.

Last season, injuries cost the club a sixth straight AL Central title.

"Got to make do. I've been in tougher situations," Manuel said Tuesday before the Indians played AL Central rival Chicago.

"We just need somebody to get hot and carry us for awhile. We've got some strong guys. We'll be all right."

With Woodard out, the Indians signed right-hander Willie Blair to a minor league contract. The club released Blair less than two weeks ago because of salary concerns.

Woodard was drilled in the arm by a liner hit by Frank Thomas in the sixth inning of Chicago's 9-2 win over the Indians at Comiskey Park. He spent several agonizing minutes on the ground in pain before his arm was placed in an air cast and he was taken off on a stretcher.

Woodard sustained only a bruise but was hospitalized overnight as a precaution. An Indians spokesman said Woodard was released and sent back to Cleveland for further X-rays and tests.

Woodard had a lot of swelling in the elbow and complained of numbness in his fingers.

"His arm today was very swollen," Manuel said. "They're going to wait until the swelling goes down and X-ray him again.

"He should be able to pitch again in about two weeks."

Jake Westbrook was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to temporarily take Woodard's spot on the roster while Blair gets his arm ready in the minors.

Westbrook will be Cleveland's long reliever, and Manuel said he'll also be available to make a spot start if needed. Westbrook made one start in Buffalo. He started twice and made one relief appearance last year with the Yankees.

"I was definitely surprised," said Westbrook, who was asleep late Monday night when he got the phone call telling him to report to Chicago.

Woodard's injury has the Indians fearing this season could be like 2000.

Bumps, bruises and surgeries took the club out of contention in the AL Central a year ago, and Manuel was forced to use a major league record 32 pitchers.

Already this season, Fryman is on the 15-day DL with a torn elbow ligament and center fielder Kenny Lofton has missed four games with a strained calf.

Manuel said they've decided to rest Fryman, and he won't be allowed to throw for three to four weeks. After that, it will be another three- to four-week throwing program.

"This timeframe will allow Travis to come back and play some this season," Manuel said. "He'll be able to come back and help us the second half of the season."

In addition, veteran starters Charles Nagy and Jaret Wright are both in Florida for extended spring training. Lefty reliever Cameron Cairncross is out until the All-Star break.

The Indians also signed left-hander Paul Spoljaric to a minor league contract and assigned him to Double-A Akron of the Eastern League.

Blair was cut at the end of spring training camp by the Indians, who didn't have room for him and didn't want to guarantee his $700,000 contract.

"He hasn't pitched in 10 days," Indians general manager John Hart said. "He's not ready to pitch yet."

Blair was signed to a minor league contract in February and went 1-2 with a 7.98 ERA in six spring outings. He won 10 games for the Detroit Tigers last season.