CLEVELAND — Designated hitter Travis Hafner has been booed, criticized and even had his manhood questioned by Indians fans. Tribe manager Manny Acta, however, remains squarely behind his oftinjured slugger. “You can’t be judging people who are hurt without being in their body,” the skipper said Thursday. “I just hope Travis gets to a point where he can help us. I want this guy to be healthy.
“Now, whether he’ll be back to where he once was, that’s something I can’t tell you, but I want to be able to find out.”
Hafner, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 3 with an inflamed right shoulder, will take batting practice today at Progressive Field.
If the session goes well, the 33-yearold will meet with Acta to decide his next step toward returning to action. A short rehab stint with either Triple-A Columbus or Double-A Akron is likely.
On the season, Hafner is hitting .267 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 82 games — while making a team-high $11.5 million salary.
In the last three years, “Pronk” has missed 206 games — and counting — because of right shoulder problems. His once vaunted power has also disappeared as the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder has homered a total of 30 times since his $57 million contract extension kicked in.
“At some point, if he’s not helping the ballclub and we have to cut his playing time, then we’ll deal with it then,” Acta said. “We’re going to have to see how he responds when he comes back. But my only concern right now is him coming back healthy.”
Regardless of Hafner’s physical status, Cleveland will pay him $13 million in guaranteed money in each of the next two seasons. It also holds a $13 million option for 2013, but will almost certainly exercise a $2.75 million buyout.
Those numbers add up to two things: the Indians still owe Hafner at least $28.75 million — and will give him every opportunity to earn it by putting him in their lineup.
“I think you guys know our team as well as I do,” Acta said. “With our market and our situation, we’re not going to spend an incredible amount of money on another DH.”
Pitchers Aaron Laffey (left- shoulder fatigue) and Anthony Reyes (right elbow) are also working their way back. Laffey has been sidelined since July 20, while Reyes underwent reconstructive surgery last season and hasn’t pitched for the Indians since.
“Laffey is going to throw a full bullpen (today) with all his pitches, then we’ll map out his rehab,” Acta said. “Reyes’ arm is fine, but just like with Jake (Westbrook, who had a similar operation), the last thing he’s going to get back is his command. In five days, he’ll go out again and pitch.”
Trivia answer
Hendrickson
Orioles pitcher Mark Hendrickson is one of 12 all-time MLB players who have played in the NBA — and the only pro athlete ever to appear in a game at both Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena.
The 6-foot-9 reliever told The Chronicle-Telegram that he closely followed LeBron James’ free agency saga, having played in 10 games with the Cavaliers in 1999-2000.
“It interested me quite a bit because I wanted to know where he would wind up,” said Hendrickson, a power forward who also saw action with the 76ers, Kings, Nets in four NBA seasons.
“Unfortunately, people here didn’t get what they wanted in the end, but I can understand what most of the (high-profile free agents) were going through in their minds.”
Hendrickson (1-4 with a 5.13 ERA in 35 appearances this season) thinks it’s far too early to concede the NBA title to Miami, even though it brought together James with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
“Obviously, decisions in the summer don’t always play out the way you think they will in the spring,” he said. “They’re not a lock by any means because there are a lot of very good teams.”
Coming attraction
The pitching matchups are set for Seattle’s lone 2010 visit to Progressive Field this weekend.
Fausto Carmona (12-9, 3.90 ERA) starts for the Indians tonight at 7:05 against fellow right-hander David Pauley (0-4, 3.38).
Tribe righty Mitch Talbot (8-9, 4.09) returns from the disabled list Saturday at 7:05 p.m. to take on left-hander Jason Vargas (8-5, 3.12).
Justin Masterson (4-11, 5.47) finishes the series Sunday at 1:05 p.m., challenging Seattle ace Felix Hernandez (8-9, 2.71) in a battle of right-handers.
Roundin’ third
- The Indians entered Thursday with a 3-1 record on “Dollar Dog Night.” Perhaps more important to the franchise, their average attendance on those dates was 20,794 — 17.9 percent higher than their MLB-low season average of 17,637.
- The upper deck murals of Jhonny Peralta (now with Detroit) and Jake Westbrook (St. Louis) at Progressive Field have been replaced by graphics featuring closer Chris Perez and Acta.
Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com.
