CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have activated outfielder Shin-Soo Choo from the 15-day disabled list after he missed more than six weeks with a broken thumb.
Choo had been on the DL since June 25, one day after he was struck with a pitch by San Francisco’s Jonathan Sanchez. Choo, who underwent surgery on the thumb, is batting .244 with five homers and 28 RBIs in 72 games. He played three games this week at Lake County (A) on a rehab assignment.
Choo is expected to be in the lineup Friday night, when the second-place Indians open a three-game series with Minnesota. Cleveland trails Detroit by three games in the AL Central.
To make room for Choo, the Indians designated veteran outfielder Austin Kearns for assignment. Kearns hit .200 (30 for 150) in 57 games for the Indians. He signed a one-year free agent contract with Cleveland in December.
