Indians manager asks fans to keep ill Martin in their thoughts

Cleveland Indians outfielder Leonys Martin was sent to the Cleveland Clinic on Friday to receive treatment for an undisclosed medical condition.

While the Indians wouldn't divulge the nature of Martin's illness, manager Terry Francona asked fans to keep him in their thoughts, which appears to mean the condition is something more serious than an everyday cold or flu.

"We have to respect what the family wishes so we are," Francona told reporters, including Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com before the Indians played the White Sox on Friday. "We talked to the team a little bit. We just need to respect their privacy right now.

"What I would say, if you believe in saying prayers and things like that, keep him in your thoughts. But he's in a good place. He's at the Clinic and he's getting good care."

Martin, 30, was acquired by the Indians from the Detroit Tigers before July's trade deadline and has produced well in limited action (.333/.353/.733 in six games).

The Indians placed Martin on the 10-day disabled list Friday with what was described as a non-baseball condition.