Tribe Gets Help In Center

January 13, 2000 / 5:58 PM EST / CBS/AP

CLEVELAND (AP) Looking for help in center field with Kenny Lofton injured, the Cleveland Indians agreed today to a minor league contract with 11-year veteran Lance Johnson.

Johnson's agent, Phil Tannenbaum, said he reached agreement with the club earlier this week. The Indians needed additional time to finalize paper work.

Johnson, 36, spent the last 2 1/2 seasons with the Cubs and was recommended to the Indians by new Indians third-base coach Jim Riggleman, who managed Johnson in Chicago before being fired.

The Indians have been searching for a center fielder since Lofton had surgery on his left shoulder in December. Lofton tore his rotator cuff while diving headfirst into first base during last year's playoffs against Boston and could be sidelined until the All-Star break.

Johnson will compete with Dave Roberts, Jacob Cruz and Alex Ramirez in spring training for the Indians' starting job in center. Johnson's experience could make him the favorite especially since, like Lofton, he is also a leadoff hitter.

An All-Star with the New York Mets in 1996, Johnson became the first player to lead both leagues in hits when he got 186 for the Chicago White Sox in 1995 and 227 for the Mets the following year.

Bothered by an abdominal strain, Johnson played in only 95 games for the Cubs last season, batting .260 with one homer and 21 RBIs. He was on the disabled list from June 10 to Aug. 20 with the injury.

A career .291 hitter, Johnson is batting .303 since 1995. He got his 1,500th career hit on May 15 of last season against Atlanta's Greg Maddux.

Tannenbaum said Johnson was in Orlando, Fla., working out with track coach Bob Kersee and that he is fully recovered from his stomach injury.

Nicknamed, "One Dog" because he has always worn No. 1, Johnson led the AL in triples four consecutive seasons a major league record.

The Indians agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Jesse Levis and invited him to spring training.