CLEVELAND – Shin-Soo Choo was activated from the disabled list on Friday. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that Choo took the roster spot of starting pitcher Aaron Laffey, who was placed on the injured list with left shoulder fatigue.
Laffey, who has pitched well since joining the rotation – 2-2, 3.60 ERA in five starts — underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage. The Indians are optimistic that the left-hander will be ready to leave the DL when he is eligible early next month.
“It’s shoulder fatigue. That’s it,” said manager Manny Acta. “The MRI was good.”
Laffey’s turn in the rotation comes Tuesday, with the Indians planning on promoting a replacement from the minors, the strongest candidates being Triple-A Columbus starters, left-hander David Huff and right-hander Jeanmar Gomez.
Huff, who is 4-0 with a 3.14 ERA in five starts since being demoted, angered the Indians when he posted on his Twitter account that he would be called up to make a spot start last Sunday that wound up going to Gomez.
In his big league debut against Detroit, Gomez was brilliant, getting the win after allowing two unearned runs over seven innings of a 7-2 victory. He was optioned back to Columbus the following day.
Clippers right-hander Carlos Carrasco might have been the favorite to take Laffey’s spot but he is dealing with a right forearm injury.
According to Acta, whoever is promoted will be making more than a spot start, remaining in the rotation until Laffey has mended.
Choo, Cleveland’s best overall player, returns to the fold after missing close to three weeks with a right thumb sprain. He played in three minor league rehab games for Double-A Akron, going 1-for-11.
“It’s nice to have him back,” Acta said. “He’s another threat to our lineup. When he’s healthy, he can play pretty much every day. He can do more than just hit. He’s a multi-talented player that lengthens our lineup.”
Acta said there would be no restrictions on Choo, who entered Friday batting .286 with a team-leading 13 home runs, 43 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 78 games.
Choo’s arrival means that the Indians have three regular outfielders – Trevor Crowe, Michael Brantley and Austin Kearns – for two spots in center and left field. Kearns has missed the last three games with right knee soreness, but Acta said he was available to pinch hit Friday.
All three players can play both center and left.
“There will be enough at-bats for them all,” Acta said.
Order up
With Asdrubal Cabrera batting second since returning from the disabled list, Choo moved back to the third spot in the order.
Carlos Santana, who hit third in each of his first 35 games in Cleveland, batted cleanup for the first time in his big league career, while Travis Hafner hit fifth.
Minor details
Right-hander Josh Tomlin allowed two runs on five hits Thursday, striking out a season-high 10 batters over six innings of Tripe-A Columbus’ 4-2 loss to Durham. Tomlin (8-4, 2.68 ERA, 20 games/17 starts) would be an option to take Laffey’s spot but he is not a member of the 40-man roster and likely won’t be promoted until September if at all. … Akron’s Nick Hagadone took the loss in his first start back from the disabled list Thursday, allowing a run on two hits over three innings of Reading’s 4-1 victory. Hagadone, who was acquired in the Victor Martinez trade with Boston last year, is 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA in seven starts since his promotion from advanced Class A Kinston.
Roundin’ third
Reliever Joe Smith entered Friday without allowing a run in 12 straight appearances, a season high total for Indians pitchers. The right-hander has allowed just two hits over the span, with his ERA dropping from 8.10 to 4.50. … Santa Claus threw out one of the ceremonial first pitches in conjuncture with “Christmas in July” weekend at Progressive Field. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM. Talbot (8-8, 3.89) vs. Price (12-5, 2.84).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
