CLEVELAND — Travis Hafner was scheduled to undergo a strength test on his ailing right shoulder Monday, but the plan was scrapped, with the designated hitter tending to a family matter instead.
“He’s got something going on personally,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “We’re not sure when he’s going to be back.”
According to the club’s media relations department, Hafner flew to his hometown of Sykeston, N.D., on Friday, where his parents still reside. Hafner’s father has experienced health problems in the past, but the Indians gave no indication that was the reason for the trip.
It has already been a forgettable season for Hafner, who has been limited to just 46 games with a shoulder ailment that has sidelined him since May 30. He is batting .217 with four home runs and 24 RBIs.
Wedge said the team would not reschedule the strength test until Hafner returns to Cleveland.  

Comeback trail

Things went a bit smoother for Victor Martinez (right elbow surgery) Monday, with the catcher taking part in baseball activities for the first time since surgery June 13.
Martinez, who has been catching bullpens without throwing the ball back to the pitcher, played catch at Progressive Field and is close to swinging the bat, according to Wedge.
“I don’t anticipate any issues,” Wedge said.
Martinez, who is expected to return next month, is likely to be around the team more often.
“He’s close enough now (to being activated) that it’s important for him to be around and to be one of the leaders on this ballclub,” Wedge said.

Still mending

Infielder Jamey Carroll (hamstring) was out of the lineup for the third straight game, with Wedge hopeful that he could pinch hit.
With a body down, Andy Gonzalez, promoted from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, served as the designated hitter in his first big league start of the season.  

Sowers power

Jeremy Sowers’ velocity has increased a bit this year, but it’s been the ability to command his three pitches — fastball, slider and changeup — that the left-hander sites for his recent revival.
“It’s been more about sustaining confidence and throwing all three pitches to both sides of the plate,” Sowers said after allowing two runs on three hits in eight innings of a 4-2 loss to the Twins on Sunday. “I’m just learning new things. What happens when you gain more knowledge and get more comfortable is that it starts to snowball.”
Sowers (1-5, 5.86) has allowed more than three runs in just two of his last seven starts.

Skid row

There were five Indians riding slow streaks at the plate entering Monday night’s series opener with the Tigers — Ben Francisco (0-for-11), Franklin Gutierrez (0-for-10), David Dellucci (3-for-22), Ryan Garko (1-for-12) and Asdrubal Cabrera (1-for-11).
Since returning from Triple-A Buffalo, Cabrera was hitting .200 (5-for-25) with a double and three runs in seven games.

Mills thrills

Beau Mills, Cleveland’s first-round draft choice last year (13th overall) has found his stride at advanced Class A Kinston, where he was hitting .282 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs in 100 games through Sunday.
Mills, 21, entered Monday leading the Carolina League in RBIs, second in homers, second in extra-base hits (45) and fourth in doubles (27) during his second professional season.

Roundin’ third

Over his last nine starts, Cliff Lee is 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA. The left-hander has allowed more than two runs in just five of his 20 outings.
• Reliever Edward Mujica entered Monday having not allowed a run in his last nine appearances, covering 102/3 innings. He was 0-1 with a 4.12 ERA in 15 games (192/3 innings) through Sunday.
• PGA Tour player Brandt Snedeker threw out one of the ceremonial first pitches. He is in town for this weekend’s Bridgestone Invitational at Akron’s Firestone Country Club.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. 

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