Hafner making progress in return to fading Tribe

Travis Hafner took batting practice on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, the first time he has done so since suffering a right oblique injury on May 19.

The Sykeston, N.D., native hopes to do the same today with a minor league rehab stint to follow if everything goes well.

Hafner was enjoying a resurgent season before he was injured. His .345 batting average was fifth in the American League when he was injured.

Hafner’s absence from the Indians’ lineup has coincided with their freefall in the standings. Cleveland is 4-14 since May 24 and has blown a 7-game lead over the Detroit Tigers. The two teams currently are in a virtual tie for first place.

No team in the AL Central is more than nine games back, including the Minnesota Twins, who have won eight of their last 10 games and are nine games back.

— Sun Staff

Tags: sports, hafner, baseball, mlb