CLEVELAND -- As the Indians lose one outfielder, they'll get another back.
Brandon Guyer will be sidelined for five to seven days after he aggravated a left wrist injury on Thursday, but second baseman-turned-center fielder Jason Kipnis is set to make his return in Sunday's series finale against the Royals.
Guyer sustained the injury during a pinch-hit appearance in a similar fashion to the issue that caused him to miss six weeks in May and June. The Indians medical staff has been working with Guyer to determine if he can join the club for the second leg of its upcoming six-game West Coast trip.
"They're treating it, and then we'll see how he does. That's really the best we can do right now," manager Terry Francona said on Saturday. "It's that same wrist. He kind of re-aggravated it. He'll stay back here for at least the first part of it, so he can get really intense work with the medical people here, and then we'll try to ramp him back up."
Kipnis, who was an outfielder in college, has been out since late August with a right hamstring strain, but he has been working to return in center field. Kipnis has been running the bases and shagging balls in the outfield before games, and he has finally been cleared to play.
Francona sees Kipnis playing part of Sunday's game.
The outfield has been hampered by injuries of late with rookie Bradley Zimmer likely out for the season with a fractured left hand, Michael Brantley has been out since early August with a right ankle sprain, and Lonnie Chisenhall has missed time with right calf injuries.
"It's nice to add somebody as opposed to losing people," Francona said.
Worth noting
• Francona gave All-Star second baseman Jose Ramirez a day off on Saturday and possibly another day of rest on Sunday. Ramirez has been bothered by a hamstring issue, in addition to a bruised left forearm. Francona said he'd rather wipe out any injury than push Ramirez too hard down the stretch.