Indians activate Hafner from disabled list

Pronk is back with the Cleveland Indians.

Sykeston native Travis Hafner, on the disabled list for more than three months with a strained right shoulder, was activated on Tuesday and in the lineup at DH for the Tribe against the Baltimore Orioles.

“We’ll probably go every other day for a little bit, then back to back, then some three in a rows,” he said before the game. “I’m excited to be back. ... We’ve got a lot of young guys swinging the bat well lately.”

Hafner hit .217 with four homers and 22 RBIs in 46 games before going on the DL in late May. An examination showed he had almost no strength in his right shoulder.

He was placed fifth in the lineup in his first game back with the Tribe.

“Just to have him in the middle,” manager Eric Wedge said. “Doesn’t have to be in that three-hole right away. It’s been a long time since he’s hit. I think it’s a good spot for him here, initially. Doesn’t mean he’s going to stay there. Depending on the lineup, he could move around.”

A .290 career hitter, Hafner averaged 32 homers and 108 RBI over the previous four seasons.

Hafner hit .318 with four RBI in a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Buffalo.

After Buffalo’s season ended, he played in two playoff games for Double-A Akron, going 2-for-6 with two home runs and six RBI, helping the Aeros advance to the Eastern League championship series.

Tags: mlb, baseball, hafner, indians