Hagadone to see Dr. Andrews for 2nd opinion

CINCINNATI -- Indians reliever Nick Hagadone is scheduled to meet with renowned arm surgeon Dr. James Andrews in the coming days to have his injured left elbow examined. Hagadone sustained what is believed to be a serious elbow injury on Wednesday, but he is seeking more opinions on the extent of the damage.

Prior to Friday's game in Cincinnati, Indians manager Terry Francona indicated that Hagadone also plans on seeing Dr. Neal ElAttrache. After injuring his left elbow in the fifth inning in a Minor League rehab outing for Class A (short season) Mahoning Valley, Hagadone was initially examined by Dr. Mark Schickendantz.

"He's going to go down and see Andrews," Francona said of Hagadone. "Again, it's just to get more opinions. Then he'll go out and see ElAttrache at some point, too, and then gather information and go from there."

Francona noted on Thursday that Hagadone's injury might be similar to the one he dealt with in 2008, when the pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery on the joint as a Minor Leaguer. Because Hagadone is still in the process of seeking more information, the Indians have not indicated whether a second reconstructive surgery might be on the horizon.

Cleveland placed Hagadone on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain on July 8. In 36 games for the Indians this season, the 29-year-old Hagadone has turned in a 4.28 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks in 27 1/3 innings. The lefty has a 4.72 ERA in 143 games in parts of five seasons with Cleveland.

Worth noting

• Designated hitter and outfielder Nick Swisher (15-day DL due to knee issues) is scheduled to take batting practice with Class A (low) Lake County on Friday and Saturday. Francona noted that Swisher might be cleared to move up to Double-A or Triple-A as part of a Minor League rehab assignment at some point next week.

• Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin (60-day DL with a right shoulder injury) logged 3 2/3 innings in a rehab outing for Class A Mahoning on Wednesday. Francona said Tomlin is doing "really well" and is tentatively scheduled to make his next appearance on Monday.

Quotable

"You want guys to get away. I know from talking to most managers, and I know myself, you always have that little bit of anxiety about coming back and being sluggish. But, if that's the case, I'd rather have that, because we're going to have to go 100 mph until the end. So, this is their one last chance to kind of take a deep breath and get away for a few days. You want them to take advantage of that" -- Francona, on how players should treat the All-Star break