Brantley, Guyer activated off disabled list

CLEVELAND -- Order was restored in the Indians' outfield on Monday, when both Michael Brantley and Brandon Guyer were activated from the disabled list.
With Brantley and Guyer back in the fold for Cleveland's series against the Rangers, the Tribe's outfield returns to its planned alignment. Brantley will head back to left field, while Guyer will again pair with Lonnie Chisenhall as part of a right-field platoon. Rookie Bradley Zimmer and Austin Jackson will see time in center, with the latter also offering depth for the corners.
"Having Brant back is always good," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Guyer wasn't swinging the bat great before he got hurt, but having his toughness is always welcome. He's just a tough kid. That characteristic, that trait is always welcome."
In order to activate Brantley and Guyer, the Indians optioned outfielder Daniel Robertson and reliever Shawn Armstrong to Triple-A Columbus. Francona noted that Jackson, who exited Sunday's game with tightness in his left quad, was being examined on Monday. If a DL stint is deemed necessary, that move would come Tuesday.
"He doesn't feel too bad," Francona said. "But we want to see, first of all, what's going on -- if anything -- in there."
Brantley was on the 10-day DL with a right ankle injury, and he went through a series of running drills this past weekend ahead of his activation. The left fielder -- whose last game for the Tribe was on June 14 -- was hitting .296 with five home runs, 13 doubles and 28 RBIs through 54 games this season. He missed most of last year while dealing with right shoulder and biceps woes.
Guyer, who had been shelved since May 13 with a left wrist injury, completed a six-game Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. Through 21 games this season, the corner outfielder was batting .182 with four extra-base hits and five RBIs. Last year, Guyer was a weapon against lefty pitching, hitting .336 with a 1.021 OPS off southpaws between his tours with Tampa Bay and the Tribe.
"I'm glad to be back out there with them," said Guyer, who initially feared the injury might end his season. "We did different sorts of treatment and it turned a corner -- thank God. It got me to the point now where I don't really even notice it at all. I'm pumped that it took that corner, because for a while there, I was worried I'd be out the whole year."