CLEVELAND (AP) -Third baseman Andy Marte, who strained his left hamstring while running to first base last month, was activated from the disabled list by the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.
Marte is batting .179 (7-for-39) with a homer and eight RBIs in 13 games with four errors. He went on the disabled list April 23 and began a 20-day rehabilitation assignment on April 29, hitting hit .242 (8-for-33) with two homers and three RBIs in 10 games.
While the Indians are high on Marte, the decision to return him to the 25-man roster was not clear cut.
Casey Blake, who took over at third base, had a 10-game hitting streak going into Saturday night’s game against Cincinnati and has played well defensively.
Blake began the season alternating between first base and right field. If the Indians return to that plan, it could cut in to first baseman Ryan Garko’s playing time. Garko had an eight-game hitting streak and was batting .321 before Saturday’s game.
Marte, acquired from Boston last year, batted .226 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 50 games last season.
To make room for Marte, the Indians optioned outfielder Franklin Gutierrez to Triple-A Buffalo.
Gutierrez started the season on the DL because of a strained left hamstring. He was activated on April 13 and sent to Buffalo. He was recalled on May 6 and appeared in four games, batting .200 (1-for-5) with one RBI.
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