CLEVELAND — The Indians decided sooner was better Friday, activating Victor Martinez from the disabled list rather than waiting for the September call-up period.
“We wanted to get our eyes on him,” said manager Eric Wedge, who had Martinez in the lineup at first base and batting fifth for the series opener with Seattle. “He’s far enough along catching-wise that we wanted to get him up here and see where he’s at.”
Wedge said that Martinez would not return to his catching job on a full-time basis and that he wouldn’t play every day at any position over the remainder of the season. The Indians want to proceed carefully with one of their top run producers, who hit a combined .308 (8-for-26) with a home run and three RBIs in eight minor league rehab games for Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A Akron.  
“He’s not going to be catching every day,” Wedge said. “We want to make sure that when the season is over he’s beyond this injury and has no issues next year.”
Martinez strained a hamstring in the season opener but played through that before being placed on the disabled list June 12 and then undergoing surgery on his right elbow. He was expected to miss 6-8 weeks, but wound up being sidelined for close to three months.
“I don’t know if it took longer or not, but I can tell you I really feel good,” said Martinez, who hit .278 without a homer and 21 RBIs in 54 games prior to the injury.
The Indians have missed Martinez but have played well in his absence, especially as of late, riding a season-high 10-game winning streak through Thursday.
“They’ve been playing great ball,” said Martinez, who drew a rousing ovation from the Progressive Field fans during his first at-bat in the second inning. “I can’t say much beyond that, because I’ve been in the minor leagues trying to get back.”
Travis Hafner can relate.
Hafner, out since May 30 with a right shoulder strain, suffered a setback during his rehab assignment with Buffalo but has returned to the Bisons, going
1-for-3 with a double in a 3-2 victory over Scranton on Thursday.
Wedge said Hafner will stay with Buffalo until its season ends Monday and will be re-evaluated at that point and possibly activated.   
“He’s moving forward,” said Wedge of Hafner, who entered Friday hitting .313 (5-for-16) with three doubles and three RBIs in five games for the Bisons.

No quit

The 10-game winning streak Cleveland brought into Friday was its longest since April of 2002, and just one shy of matching its longest streak since 1982.
“I’m just proud of the progress,” said Wedge, whose club had won 16 of its last 19 games through Thursday. “The players have done a great job of not giving into the fight and they’ve gotten better.”

Another view

Old-school Wedge said he was “curious” to see how instant replay would affect the game.
“I’m more of a traditionalist, but I’m in favor of anything that makes the game better,” he said.
For starters, replay will only be used on home run calls, with the umpire crew chief deciding when it should be employed.

Minor detail

Akron third baseman Wes Hodges was named Eastern League rookie of the year, entering Friday with a .286 batting average, 16 homers and 91 RBIs in 130 games for the Aeros.
The Futures Game participant’s RBI count ranked second in the EL through Thursday and was the second-most in franchise history.  

Roundin’ third

Ryan Garko entered Friday batting .307 (27-for-88) in 24 August games. His 20 RBIs over the span ranked 12th in the AL for the month through Thursday.
• The Indians entered Friday with a 28-16 record since trading CC Sabathia. The Brewers were 28-17 over the same span.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. 

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