TORONTO -- Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis expects to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series in Cleveland on Friday (8 p.m. ET on TBS and, in Canada, Sportsnet and RDS).
Travis missed the final two games of the AL Division Series against Texas with a bone bruise in his right knee, but the charismatic second baseman was optimistic before Toronto's team workout Tuesday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
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"I'm feeling much better today," Travis said. "I'll be ready to go Friday."
The 25-year-old was a late scratch before Game 2 and took a cortisone shot Saturday to help relieve the pain in his knee, which Travis described as "sharp" and "like a quick knife."
The second-year Major Leaguer believes the cortisone medication settling in will allow him to play the remainder of the postseason, and he took part in an individual workout at the indoor batting cages Tuesday.
"I think honestly, the biggest thing is that it's a pain management issue," Travis said. "Hopefully [the cortisone medication] calms it down, and I don't see why it wouldn't be able to hold up and get me through."
Travis hasn't been able to pinpoint when the injury occurred, but did say it has been bothering him for "a little less than a month." The Blue Jays decided not to replace Travis on the ALDS roster, keeping him eligible for the next round with four days off before the ALCS opener.
"It very well could have saved my roster spot," Travis said. "I'm sure they were pretty close to making that move and I completely understand. You can't go with a short bench in the playoffs. The guys were just looking out for me. That sweep was huge."

Travis missed the second half of last year and the first six weeks of this season with an injured left shoulder, and the former Tigers prospect admitted that spectating brought back several memories he would like to forget. The Florida State product led the Blue Jays with a .300 average, while taking over as the primary leadoff hitter down the stretch, and he doesn't expect to have any mental or physical layoff when returning.
"I don't think that takes too much time," Travis said. "This is the playoffs and something that we've worked all year for. I'll get back in there ready to go."
Darwin Barney started in place of Travis the past two games, with catcher Russell Martin acting as the Blue Jays' lone emergency middle infielder, and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera moving up into the leadoff spot. In the event Travis isn't healthy enough to play, Toronto could add backup infielder Ryan Goins to the roster. For the time being, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons echoed Travis' sentiments about being ready to go in Friday's opener.

"This break and days off are really vital to him, so we'll see in the next couple of days if he's good to go," Gibbons said. "I would expect yes, but I don't know that for sure, either."