CLEVELAND — The Indians were hoping to have Shin-Soo Choo back for the final month of the season. It looks as though they will get some bonus time.
Choo (broken left thumb) has begun hitting off a tee, and according to manager Manny Acta, the right fielder could begin taking batting practice within the next 7-10 days.
“He’s doing very well,” Acta said of Choo, who has been sidelined since June 25. “It’s encouraging.”
Choo will most likely need a minor league rehab assignment before being activated, but told reporters that he would like to return for the series against the White Sox on Aug. 16-18 at Chicago.
It’s been a season of struggles for Choo, who was arrested for DUI in Sheffield Lake on May 3 and hit just .244 with five home runs and 28 RBIs in 72 games before sustaining the injury.
White in
Alex White (surgery right middle finger) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment today at Double-A Akron.
White, who has been sidelined since May 21, is expected to make three or four rehab appearances before returning to the Indians and pitching out of the bullpen.
Minor details
Shelley Duncan and Nick Johnson combined to drive in all of Triple-A Columbus’ runs in a 6-5 loss at Syracuse on Thursday. Both had two hits, including a homer apiece.
**First baseman Matt McBride hit a pair of solo homers in Akron’s 7-4 victory over Erie on Thursday. McBride, the 75th overall draft pick in 2006, entered Friday batting .294 with a team-leading 14 homers and 53 RBIs in 83 games.
**Outfielder Luigi Rodriguez was promoted to Class A Lake County after an impressive stint with Cleveland’s Arizona Summer League team, where he hit .383 with three homers, 13 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 24 games.
Roundin’ third
The Indians entered Friday batting just .174 with 18 runs over their last eight games, while their starting pitchers had posted 2-4 record and 1.96 ERA over the last nine games.
**The Indians have not thrown a no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981. It is the longest drought in the majors other than the Mets and Padres, neither of whom have ever tossed a no-hitter.
**Former Indian great Kenny Lofton threw our the ceremonial first pitch.
**Tonight, 7:05, Channel 3/STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM. Masterson (8-7, 2.57) vs. Paulino (1-4, 3.86).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
