TORONTO (AP) -Vernon Wells was activated off the 15-day disabled list Sunday, returning to the Blue Jays lineup against the Cleveland Indians after missing 26 games with a strained left hamstring.
Outfielder Kevin Mench was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Wells, who batted fourth as the designated hitter against Indians left-hander Cliff Lee.
Manager Cito Gaston said Wells could return to the outfield when the Blue Jays begin a four-game series in Detroit on Monday.
“I’m pretty sure he’s OK,” Gaston said. “I’m just going to try and take it easy on him for a while so we don’t lose him again.”
The 29-year-old Wells injured his leg stealing third base in a game July 9 against Baltimore. He began a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Friday, going 0-for-4 as the DH, then played four innings in center field Saturday, finishing 0-for-2 with a walk.
Wells was happy with the way his leg felt in the rehab stint.
“Once I’m loose, I’m good,” Wells said. “I won’t be stealing any bases, but aside from that, I’ll be all right.”
After the two games in Scranton, Pa., Wells flew to Toronto from Philadelphia on Sunday morning, arriving at Rogers Centre about two hours before game time.
Gaston said the cleanup spot is where he intends to keep Wells.
“Maybe it will change here or there, but that’s where I want him to hit,” Gaston said. “He was in that spot before he got hurt and we’ll just put him back in there.”
Wells missed 26 games earlier this season after he fractured his right wrist making a diving catch May 9 at Cleveland. He’s batting .287 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs this season, the first of a seven-year, $126-million contract extension.
Mench was batting .233 with no homers and eight RBIs in 37 games.
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