Bourn rests sprained wrist for second straight game

MINNEAPOLIS -- Indians center fielder Michael Bourn sat in front of his locker inside the visitors' clubhouse at Target Field on Thursday afternoon, his right wrist wrapped and his name absent from Cleveland's starting lineup.

For the second consecutive game, Bourn was sidelined with the sprained wrist he suffered while sliding into second base in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 5-4 victory over the White Sox. He indicated that he was feeling better but was not sure if he would be back in the lineup Friday.

"It's possible, but we'll see," Bourn said. "I'm day to day. If you see me come out [of a game], then you know something's wrong, for the most part."

Bourn had yet to test his ailing wrist with any throwing or hitting, but Indians manager Terry Francona noted that Bourn was available off the bench as a pinch-runner for the opener of this four-game series against the Twins. Francona added that Cleveland would run Bourn through a series of tests prior to Friday's game to gauge his recovery.

"Depending on how he shows up [Friday]," Francona said, "we'll see how aggressive we can get with him. It could range anywhere from playing the game to 'we'll see.'"

Through 128 games, Bourn has hit .260 with six home runs, 23 stolen bases, 32 extra-base hits, 48 RBIs and 73 runs scored for the Indians.

With Bourn out of the mix Thursday night, Francona moved left fielder Michael Brantley into the leadoff spot for the Tribe. Cleveland's regular right fielder, Drew Stubbs, shifted to center field and utility man Ryan Raburn got the nod in right.

Francona said it is times like these that he feels fortunate to have a versatile and productive bench.

"That's how it's been most of the time this year," Francona said. "I've always felt like, whenever something happened -- because we have Raburn, [Mike] Aviles, [Yan] Gomes -- not that you ever want guys to get hurt, but those guys are always sitting there waiting to play, and they're ready to play."