CLEVELAND -- Japanese native Masa Kobayashi has had to adjust to just about everything since he signed with the Indians early this year.

After adjusting to American culture and the cold weather that lingered all the way to late May, Kobayashi now has to pass another test. Can he hold up?

From 2001-07 with the Chiba Lotte Mariners, the right-handed Kobayashi was never asked to pitch more than 58 innings. Already with the Tribe, he has appeared in 38 games and tossed 40 innings -- both bullpen highs.

"He's going to definitely pass [58 innings]," manager Eric Wedge said with a laugh.

Wedge said he and pitching coach Carl Willis have been watching Kobayashi carefully, monitoring not only how many times they bring him in, but how many times he even warms up in the bullpen.

So should Tribe fans expect to see less and less out of the club's most stable arm from the 'pen?

"I don't want to go that far with that," Wedge said. "The guy's strong and he's done a good job preparing himself. I just think it's important Carl and I don't push him, and we'll see how he comes out of the All-Star break."

Wedge has been impressed with Kobayashi's rigid workout routine and his ability to adjust not only to the everyday grind of Major League Baseball, but also his adjustment to the primary setup role in the Tribe's bullpen. One of the few consistent relief arms for Cleveland this season, Kobayashi served as Chiba Lotte's closer, accumulating 227 saves over eight seasons.

"That's what he did for his entire career," Wedge said. "We told him to get ready the same way he gets ready and we'll get him adjusted. Like I've said before, he's done a great job making adjustments."

The goal for the Tribe, despite its last-place position in the American League Central, is still to win every day, Willis said. So when he and Wedge think Kobayashi needs to pitch, he will.

"The times we feel like he's the guy that can help us win the game," Willis said, "that's going to be our objective."

With a watchful eye, of course, Wedge and Willis figure the best strategy is to let Kobayashi continue to make adjustments on his own.

"We haven't forced anything on him," Wedge said, "and it's all worked well so far."