Indians activate Aviles, option righty Adams

CHICAGO -- As expected, the Indians activated Mike Aviles before Monday night's game with the White Sox. The utility player started at third base and batted sixth.

What came as a bit of a surprise was the accompanying roster move to clear a spot for Aviles. Instead of subtracting a position player, the team optioned right-hander Austin Adams to Triple-A Columbus.

For now, the Indians have just 11 pitchers on the active roster.  

"That's why we didn't make the move [Sunday]," manager Terry Francona said. "We wanted to come here today and see how everybody was doing."

Once they were satisfied the bullpen was in good shape, the decision was to keep switch-hitters Zach Walters and Jose Ramirez -- the most likely candidates to be jettisoned -- on the roster for now. Both players were in Monday's lineup against Chicago left-hander Chris Sale.

"It just seemed to make sense with all these left-handed pitchers we're facing," Francona said. "And if we need a pitcher, we can always do something. We're trying to maximize our roster as much as always."

The White Sox are scheduled to start left-handers in all four games of the series.

As for Aviles, he hasn't played since May 6 in Kansas City. The next day he found out that his 4-year-old daughter, Adriana, was diagnosed with leukemia. He's been with his family in Cleveland since. He originally was on the Family Medical Emergency list and then was transferred to the restricted list after seven days.   

Despite the long absence, Aviles -- who declined to talk about his daughter's situation -- was ready to go on Monday.

"We wouldn't have played him if he wasn't ready," Francona said. "He's been at the ballpark just about every day."