CLEVELAND — It wouldn’t be a day at the ballpark without an injury for the Indians.
Second baseman Jason Donald was a late scratch from the lineup Monday with a right index finger contusion. He was replaced by Cord Phelps.
The injury is not considered a serious one, but should Donald — .283, three RBIs in 16 games — wind up on the disabled list, he will join seven other players for the Indians, who have used the DL more than any other team in the American League other than the Twins.
With injuries ravaging the Indians all year, only 15 players on their current roster opened the season on the 25-man roster. Cleveland has used 23 position players and 19 pitchers this season after using 24 position players and 22 pitchers in 2010.
** Shin-Soo Choo (left oblique) told reporters that he is still a week away from taking batting practice, which means he is probably two weeks away from game activity.
** Right-hander Josh Tomlin (ligament sprain right elbow) still believes he will pitch again before the end of the regular season, but if the Indians are out of contention, he will most likely be shut down.
He’s the man
Jeanmar Gomez will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start tonight against Oakland in place of Tomlin.
Gomez, who is 0-2 with a 5.70 ERA in two spot starts for the Indians this year, was considered the strongest candidate. The right-hander is 10-7 with a 2.55 ERA in 21 starts for the Cilppers.
Barring a disastrous effort, Gomez will likely stay in Tomlin’s spot in the rotation.
Crispy critter
Former Indians outfielder Coco Crisp is having a resurgent season after playing in just 75 games for Oakland last year.
Crisp, who played in Cleveland from 2002-05, entered Monday batting .267 with seven home runs, 44 RBIs and a career-high 37 stolen bases in 115 games. The stolen base count led the AL through Sunday.
Crisp’s high with the Indians was 20 in 2004. Asdrubal Cabrera led the Indians with 16 stolen bases through Sunday.
Minor details
Columbus RHP Paolo Espino was named International League pitcher of the week (Aug. 22-28) after working 11 scoreless innings in two starts, while allowing just three hits and striking out 13. Espino is went 6-0 with a 2.44 ERA in 22 games (five starts) for Double-A Akron before being promoted to Columbus, where he is 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA in 10 games (four starts). … Akron closer Cory Burns was recently named to the Carolina League postseason All-Star team. Entering Monday, Burns (2-5, 2.28 ERA) had converted a franchise-high 33 saves in 35 opportunities through Sunday. The right-hander is an eighth-round draft pick in 2009.
Roundin’ third
Right-hander Joe Smith’s 1.50 ERA was the second-lowest among AL relievers through Sunday. … The Indians entered Monday with 32 come-from-behind wins, the second-most in the AL behind Boston’s 34. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM. Gomez (0-2, 5.70) vs. Cahill (9-12, 4.13).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
