Asdrubal's return to Tribe could be soon

BALTIMORE -- The Indians were already optimistic about Asdrubal Cabrera's chances of coming off the disabled list at some point during this road trip. And after watching the two-time All-Star shortstop go through a workout on Monday, manager Terry Francona is not sure the team will delay Cabrera's return much longer.

"We'll do what's right," Francona said. "But not activating him is probably not fair. If the guy is ready, he's ready."

General manager Chris Antonetti is scheduled to join the team in Baltimore, and Francona plans on sitting down with him to go over Cabrera's situation. Cabrera has been sidelined since June 3 with a strained right quad.

Prior to Monday's game at Camden Yards, Francona and the Indians' medical staff monitored Cabrera as he ran the bases, fielded grounders and hit.

"I was tired watching him," Francona joked.

Cabrera, who has battled the quad issue since at least late April, has hit .254 with five home runs, 18 doubles, two triples, 25 RBIs and 28 runs scored in 53 games this season. He hit .295 in the 24 games leading up to June 3, when he experienced a setback while running out a ground ball in the fifth inning of a game against the Yankees.

Francona did not see any sign of Cabrera's injury on Monday.

"I was stunned by how good he looked," he said. "He came out early, and we ran him through [the workout]. ... He's running better today than he was running before he got hurt. He deserves so much praise for how he has attacked this. I'm so proud of him. I mean, he literally attacked this. He's going to be activated pretty soon here."