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Matt LaPorta | First Baseman

Team: Cleveland Indians
Age / DOB:  (28) / 1/8/1985
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 215
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
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Recent News

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer writes that Matt LaPorta's career with the Indians could be over.
LaPorta, 28, became a minor league free agent earlier this month and it's unclear whether the Indians intend to bring him back. The former top prospect was limited to 57 games in the minors this season after hip surgery and owns a disappointing .238/.301/.393 batting line in the majors. Nov 12 - 8:28 AM
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

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Player News

Date:
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Indians optioned RHPs Trey Haley, CC Lee and Danny Salazar, LHP T.J. House and OF Tim Fedroff to Triple-A Columbus and reassigned 1B Matt LaPorta, RHP Fernando Nieve and C Roberto Perez to minor league camp.

No surprises here. LaPorta was probably already a longshot to make the team even if his surgically-repaired hips hadn't kept him out of Grapefruit League play. He'll continue his rehab in minor league camp.
Mar 11 - 12:53 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Matt LaPorta (hip) will not begin playing in Grapefruit League games until mid-March.

LaPorta is recovering from hip surgery and isn't quite ready to go at it full-bore. He should have no problem being ready by Opening Day, but he's not a good bet to crack the Opening Day roster. "Opening Day is not the finish line for him," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "And he knows that."
Source: Akron Beacon Journal
Feb 13 - 6:35 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Matt LaPorta admitted Sunday that his surgically-repaired left hip was an issue for him throughout the season.

The condition was so bad that LaPorta wondered some morning how he was able to walk. The 28-year-old had a procedure on the hip in October and enters spring training ready to go, but he'll have to fight for a roster spot after being removed from the 40-man roster over the winter.
Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter
Feb 10 - 1:22 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Indians sent 1B Matt LaPorta outright to Triple-A Columbus.

LaPorta, 27, spent most of 2012 at Triple-A, batting .264/.350/.472 with 19 homers. The former top prospect has failed to establish himself in the majors.
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 06:46:00 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Matt LaPorta underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left hip Thursday.

LaPorta will need three to four months of recovery time, but is expected to be healthy in time for spring training. The former top prospect batted .241 (14-for-58) with one home run, five RBI and a 17/1 K/BB ratio in 22 games with the Indians this season and will enter next year out of options.
Source: Indians.mlb.com
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 04:16:00 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Matt LaPorta had a terrific day at the plate in Thursday’s victory over the Rangers, going 3-for-4 with a two-run homer.

The 27-year-old former top prospect is again struggling to make the most of his opportunity with the big club, hitting just .237 with a homer and three RBI in his first 38 at-bats. There’s still plenty of potential here, but his window to make an impact is closing quickly.
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 11:23:00 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Indians recalled 1B Matt LaPorta from Triple-A Columbus.

LaPorta is starting at first base against the Yankees on Friday. The former top prospect hasn't exactly mashed on the farm this season, posting a .264/.350/.472 slash in 434 plate appearances. Returning to a career .237/.302/.395 MLB line, he's not a compelling add in AL-only leagues.
Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 03:17:00 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Indians optioned 1B-OF Matt LaPorta to Triple-A Columbus.

He was sent down to make room for the newly-claimed Esmil Rogers on the active roster. LaPorta went 2-for-11 (.182) during his brief stay with the team and figures to return later this summer.
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 03:47:00 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Indians recalled 1B-OF Matt LaPorta from Triple-A Columbus.

He's taking the roster spot of Johnny Damon, who was placed on the paternity leave list. LaPorta has mashed at Triple-A this season, batting .307 with 14 homers and 32 RBI in 46 games. But, of course, hitting minor league pitching has never been his problem. Even though the Indians have received little production from first base and left field this season, he's no guarantee to stick around once Damon returns.
Sun, Jun 3, 2012 09:39:00 AM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Indians optioned 1B Matt LaPorta to Triple-A Columbus.

The Indians want LaPorta to get regular playing time, and it simply wouldn't have been available to him in the major leagues. Casey Kotchman will start at first base.
Tue, Mar 27, 2012 11:48:00 AM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Matt LaPorta started in left field in Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

The Indians are still undecided on their Opening Day left fielder and could look to find at-bats for LaPorta with Casey Kotchman set to begin the year at first base. LaPorta is hitting .172 in 30 plate appearances this spring.
Sun, Mar 25, 2012 09:53:00 AM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti indicated Friday that Matt LaPorta is likely to begin the season at Triple-A.

The Tribe signed Casey Kotchman to be their regular first baseman, and they'd like to give LaPorta everyday at-bats. The former top prospect will compete for a bench role, but Antonetti thinks LaPorta would benefit from some more seasoning. With a career .313/.400/.553 batting line there, LaPorta has nothing left to prove at Triple-A. He might have run out of chances with the Indians, though.
Source: Nick Camino on Twitter
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 10:05:00 AM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

The Indians have told Matt LaPorta that he'll have to win a job in spring training next season.

It's no surprise after the former top prospect struggled to a .247/.299/.412 finish this season. LaPorta will be 27 going into spring training, and with a .238/.304/.397 career batting line over 909 at-bats, he's starting to run out of chances.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sat, Oct 1, 2011 12:16:00 PM
Matt LaPorta - 1B - Indians

Indians recalled 1B Matt LaPorta from Triple-A Columbus.

The former top prospect batted a measly .238/.289/.404 batting line before being demoted at the end of August. He will likely be given a handful of starts down the stretch but is doubtful to garner any fantasy value.
Fri, Sep 9, 2011 02:58:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Carlos Santana
2Yan Gomes
3Lou Marson
1B1Nick Swisher
2David Cooper
3Jesus Aguilar
2B1Jason Kipnis
2Jose Ramirez
SS1Asdrubal Cabrera
2Ryan Rohlinger
3B1Lonnie Chisenhall
2Mike Aviles
3Erik Gonzalez
LF1Michael Brantley
2Matt Carson
CF1Michael Bourn
2Drew Stubbs
RF1David Murphy
2Ryan Raburn
3Carlos Moncrief
DH1Jason Giambi
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Justin Masterson
2Corey Kluber
3Danny Salazar
4Zach McAllister
5Carlos Carrasco
6Josh Tomlin
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Cody Allen
2Bryan Shaw
3Vinnie Pestano
4Marc Rzepczynski
5C.C. Lee
6Nick Hagadone
7Scott Barnes
8Blake Wood
9Frank Herrmann
10Austin Adams
11Preston Guilmet
12Bryan Price
13Mike Zagurski
14Matt Capps