Leyland addresses decision not to discuss Peralta

CLEVELAND -- On Tuesday, one day after cutting off his pregame media session at 77 seconds because he didn't want to discuss the suspended Jhonny Peralta, manager Jim Leyland talked for more than 20 minutes. He talked more about why he didn't talk on Monday than he actually talked on Monday.

Leyland complimented his players for "maintaining their focus" on what he called "an uncomfortable day for you, me and everybody else." But he also defended his decision not to discuss Peralta.

"We tried to have one spokesman, and we tried to eliminate the bombardment of the players as much as we could," Leyland said. "That's why [general manager] Dave [Dombrowski] was the spokesman, and that's why we weren't going to entertain any discussion about that in here. It wasn't being disrespectful of anybody.

"In my opinion, Dave is the head of the organization, and that's a situation where he should speak, which he did. And it's also a no-win situation to start talking about that. I've seen some managers choose to comment about it. I choose not to, because I don't think that's my place."

Ironically, Leyland's brief pregame sessions actually left more time for reporters to talk with players.

Leyland made one comment about the impact Peralta's suspension will have on the field, and it wasn't much of one.

"My simple statement is, we will miss Jhonny Peralta," he said, "and that's the end of it. I'm not going to discuss it any further."