CLEVELAND -- Brandon Guyer was hit by a Major League-leading 31 pitches last season. None of those bruisings landed the Indians outfielder on the disabled list. Leave it to a sprained left wrist to finally sideline Guyer for an extended period of time.
Prior to Monday's game against the Rays, Indians manager Terry Francona announced that Guyer is expected to miss four to six weeks with the injury, which necessitated a trip to the 10-day disabled list on Sunday. Guyer will be shut down from all activity for the next week before resuming a strengthening rehab program.
"He said it only was hurting for about the last week," Francona said. "Really, he didn't feel like it was affecting him. He's a tough kid. I don't doubt it was probably hurting a little bit. He just said, though, on one swing, he really felt it [on Friday]."
Guyer hit .182 with one home run and five RBIs in 21 games for the Indians out of the gates this season, but Francona said the wrist issue is not believed to be the reason for the slow start. The manager pointed to the fact that Guyer missed a portion of Spring Training with a hamstring issue, noting that the outfielder struggled to regain his timing after returning.
"Different things affect different guys," Francona said. "His spring got interrupted with that hammy a little bit, because he was swinging the bat so well. And then when he came back, his timing was never quite the same."
Kluber returns to the mound
Indians ace Corey Kluber completed a light 20-pitch bullpen session on Monday, marking his first time back on a mound since being placed on the 10-day DL with a lower back injury on May 3. Francona said Kluber will need to complete a more intense bullpen session and a simulated game before likely advancing to a Minor League rehab start. The dates for those steps are still being determined.
"The fact that he's getting up on the mound is good," Francona said. "That means he's getting better."
Other injury updates
• Outfielder Austin Jackson (on the 10-day DL with hyperextended left big toe) worked through agility drills in the outfield and ran the bases on Monday afternoon. Francona said Jackson is scheduled to run the bases again on Tuesday before being re-evaluated. The veteran outfielder will need a Minor League rehab assignment before being activated.
• Tyler Naquin (on the Minor League DL) has not played for Triple-A Columbus since May 2 due to a lower back issue. Francona said he saw Naquin at Progressive Field on Thursday's team off-day, and he noted that the outfielder was doing better and nearing activation.