TORONTO (AP) -Travis Hafner’s injured right shoulder is gaining strength, catcher Victor Martinez is close to returning from a sore right elbow, and second baseman Josh Barfield could begin a rehab assignment soon.
Finally, the Cleveland Indians are beginning to feel healthy.
Hafner had a strength test and took 30 swings of soft toss in Cleveland on Thursday. He will take another 30 swings Saturday and is expected to take live batting practice in the cage at Progressive Field on Monday. Hafner will work his way up to 60 swings of soft toss before joining the team for regular batting practice by the end of next week.
“There’s a light in Haf’s eye again, which is always good to hear,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s seeing that it’s not too far away, which should be exciting for everybody.”
Hafner hit .217 with four homers and 22 RBIs in 46 games before going on the disabled list May 30 with a strained shoulder.
Martinez threw and ran the bases for the second time before Friday’s game at Toronto, and could be ready for a rehab assignment sometime next week.
“His elbow feels really good,” Wedge said. “It’s also getting the shoulder back in shape, and the mechanics, and getting the muscle memory fired up again.”
Martinez was batting .278 with no homers and 21 RBIs when he went on the DL June 12. He had surgery on his elbow the following day.
Barfield (sprained finger), who was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Friday, took batting practice and could begin a rehab assignment next week.
Also Friday, the Indians recalled right-hander Anthony Reyes from Triple-A Buffalo to start against the Blue Jays, and purchased the contract of righty Brendan Donnelly from Triple-A.
Reyes was acquired from St. Louis in a July 26 trade that sent right-hander Luis Perdomo to the Cardinals. Reyes was 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts at Triple-A before being called up.
Donnelly went 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 27 games with Boston last year, but sustained an elbow injury in June and had season-ending surgery on Aug. 14. Donnelly signed with Cleveland last winter and has been rehabbing his elbow in the minors.
Right-hander Matt Ginter (sore forearm) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, the same day that right-hander Tom Mastny was optioned to Triple-A.
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