CHICAGO (AP) -Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner was out of the lineup Thursday night against the Chicago White Sox while he rested and treated a sore left knee, an injury he got sliding into second base Tuesday night.
Hafner had to leave for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning Wednesday night when he began to hobble around. He said it was too early to tell how long he might be out of the first-place Indians’ lineup.
“I’m not able to run right now,” said Hafner, batting .254 with 18 homers and a team-high 70 RBIs.
“We’re going to do treatment (Thursday) and ice and hopefully that will improve it. … Can’t really say anything about it until you see how it is tomorrow.”
Manager Eric Wedge said Hafner might undergo an MRI exam after the team returns to Cleveland to begin a three-game series Friday with the Yankees.
“I’m still holding out hope he’ll be available. … Tomorrow we’ll see where he’s at,” Wedge said.
Hafner, who had 42 homers and 117 RBIs in 129 games for the Indians a year ago when he missed the final 29 games with a broken hand, has fallen off lately. He’s batted .167 with two homers and six RBIs over the last 16 games.
“The team is doing well. It’s all about making the playoffs,” Hafner said. “Maybe the stuff you go through will be worth it at the end of the day. … You can’t ever let the game get you down, you know.”
Victor Martinez served as the DH on Thursday night with Kelly Shoppach moving behind the plate.
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