CLEVELAND — Designated hitter Travis Hafner was out of the lineup with a sore back that prevented him from playing upon his activation from the paternity list on Saturday.
Hafner played Sunday in Detroit, hitting his 200th career home run, and manager Manny Acta expects him to return tonight.
In other injury news:
(bullet) General manager Chris Antonetti said Grady Sizemore (back surgery) could begin a minor league rehab assignment in two weeks. Sizemore has just recently begun running, but the Indians are still hopeful he will be able to play on the big league level before the season is complete.
(bullet) Reliever Rafael Perez (strained left lat) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today. He was removed from his rehab assignment after a setback, with the Indians trying to get him ready for another as soon as possible.
(bullet) Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall (fractured right forearm) will be examined this week by hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham. His range of motion has nearly reached the normal level.
(bullet) Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (Tommy John surgery) continues to throw off the mound. He could potentially begin pitching in game situations in September.
Formerly Fausto
Roberto Hernandez will make what could be his final rehab start before joining the big league rotation Friday at Triple-A Columbus.
Hernandez, who has made three rehab appearances since returning from the Dominican Republic, allowed four runs — all on solo home runs — surrendering six hits and striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings of Single-A Lake County’s 8-1 loss to South Bend on Sunday.
Going places?
Antonetti said there is still a possibility the Indians will be able to trade right-hander Derek Lowe and outfielder Johnny Damon. The pair was recently designated for assignment.
Cleveland had 10 days to trade either player after designating them for assignment — Lowe on Thursday and Damon a day later. The Indians other options are placing them on waivers or giving them their outright release.
My bad
Outspoken closer Chris Perez took to Twitter after suffering a monumental blown save to cap Cleveland’s disastrous nine-game road trip Sunday. Perez entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead against Detroit, which won 10-8 after the right-hander allowed five runs — all with two outs.
“There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe how much I (stunk) today,” Perez tweeted. “Go ahead Cleveland, give it to me … Definitely the low point in my professional career.”
Roundin’ third
The Indians claimed minor league pitcher Fabio Martinez off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Martinez, 22, has spent the entire season on the Class A level, going 0-5 with a 10.72 ERA in eight starts, after missing most of last year with arm problems. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM. Kluber (0-0, 12.46) vs. Deduno (3-0, 2.48).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
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