CHICAGO -- The Indians have started to look more like themselves on the field this week, and now the reigning American League champions are adding a familiar face back into the fold.
Prior to Friday's game against the White Sox, Cleveland activated second baseman Jason Kipnis from the 10-day disabled list, following his comeback from a right shoulder injury. The Indians optioned rookie third baseman Yandy Diaz to Triple-A Columbus to clear a spot on the active roster for Kipnis' return.
Kipnis was in the lineup's sixth spot, and he got the start at second against Chicago.
"Obviously, I'm overcome with excitement right now for getting going," Kipnis said. "These guys are starting to play better baseball right now. You knew it was only a matter of time with the lineup we have, that they were going to get things going."
Kipnis -- a two-time All-Star -- strained his right rotator cuff early in Spring Training, and he was sidelined for most of the preseason while rehabbing the injury. With Kipnis temporarily out of the mix, Cleveland moved Jose Ramirez from third to second base, and it used Diaz at the hot corner.
With Kipnis back, Ramirez can slide back to third base on a regular basis. Under that alignment, and given the Tribe's current crop of outfielders, there is little room for Diaz to continue garnering regular at-bats in the big leagues. The trip to Columbus will allow him to keep playing every day.
According to Statcast™, Diaz ranked 15th in the Majors (minimum 25 results) with an average exit velocity of 92.8 mph, entering Friday. In 15 games, however, Diaz hit .236 with a .550 OPS in 55 at-bats. That comes after he won an Opening Day job largely due to hitting .458 in an outstanding showing in the spring.
"Everybody here feels that he can be an everyday third baseman, maybe," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Or, maybe an everyday outfielder. The way he swings the bat, I think we saw enough in a short sample size to know that he's going to be a pretty good hitter. And, to his credit, he worked. He did such a good job at third base."
Kipnis rejoins the Indians after going 4-for-20 in seven Minor League rehab games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus.
In 2016, Kipnis enjoyed arguably his best offensive season in the big leagues. In 156 games, the second baseman hit .275 with career bests in home runs (23) and runs scored (91). Kipnis also piled up 41 doubles, 82 RBIs and 15 steals to go with an .811 OPS.