Cabrera working toward late June return to Tribe

CLEVELAND -- Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was at his position at Progressive Field on Friday afternoon, gloving ground balls with apparent ease during a pregame workout. Cabrera continues to make steady progress in his recovery from the right quad strain that has him on the disabled list.

Barring any setbacks, Cabrera could return before the end of the month.

"Asdrubal is doing terrific," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He's going to do all baseball activities, and he's going to go with us to Baltimore. The anticipation is actually, when we get through that Baltimore series, he might be pretty darned close to being cleared to play."

Following the weekend series against the Twins, the Indians travel to Baltmore for a four-game set, beginning Monday. That road trip will also include stops in Chicago (June 28-30) and Kansas City (July 2-4).

Cabrera suffered the quad injury while running to first base on a groundout against the Yankees on June 3. The switch-hitting shortstop -- typically Cleveland's No. 3 hitter -- has batted .254 with five home runs, 18 doubles and 25 RBIs in 53 games.

Francona said Cabrera does not want to do a Minor League rehab assignment before coming off the 15-day disabled list, but the Indians are weighing their options about how and when he will make his official return.

"He's great about it," Francona said. "He said, 'I'll do whatever you want. I really don't want to do [a Minor League rehab assignment], but I'll do it if you want me to.' We'll kind of see where we're at and see what's in his best interest."

In the meantime, Francona has been thrilled with the play of backup shortstop Mike Aviles.

"Mikey hasn't missed a beat," Francona said. "We've not had to sit him one game because his legs are tired or dragging, or it looks like his bat is getting slow. He works so hard, and he understands the game. He's done a terrific job. The fact that we've been hitting him second says a lot."