CHICAGO -- After Roberto Perez was hit on the right hand by a pitch on Sunday in Detroit, the Indians feared the worst, but received some surprisingly good news on Monday.
X-rays were negative and the veteran catcher is optimistic he can avoid a trip to the disabled list.
"He showed up today, he feels way better," manager Terry Francona said before the opener of a four-game series against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday night.
"Even if he were to be DL-ed, we dodged a big bullet. I mean, when you saw it happen and you saw how bruised it got so quick, it's just hard to imagine that something wasn't really bad."
The team was so concerned that catcher/outfielder Francisco Mejia -- the team's No. 1 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was summoned from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday night. Mejia was activated on Monday, with right-hander Evan Marshall being optioned to Columbus. Marshall was going to be sent down on Tuesday anyway to make room for Adam Plutko, who is scheduled to start the second game of the series.
"We'll carry three catchers tonight and give [Perez] another day," Francona said. "If he's able to be OK [on Tuesday], then we can send Mejia back. If not, we'll have to DL [Perez].
"If [Roberto] is down, it'll be a really good opportunity for Mejia to play a game or two or whatever and just be around here."
The Indians also received good news on some of their other injured players on Monday. Edwin Encarnacion (right ankle) and Jason Kipnis (neck stiffness) took batting practice on Monday and the hope is that both will be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Encarnacion hasn't played since Friday, and Kipnis left Saturday's game.

Left-hander Andrew Miller (right knee) threw a 30-pitch bullpen -- two 15-pitch sessions with a break in between -- and felt fine. Miller also threw a 30-pitch bullpen on Friday in Detroit.
"Had his best 'pen so far," Francona said. "The [coaches] felt it was pretty solid.
"Nothing's in stone, but I think Wednesday he'll throw another one. Then, if everything keeps going according to plan, when we get home, he'll face some hitters."
Outfielder Brandon Guyer (left cervical strain) rejoined the team Monday, but will not be activated just yet. Guyer was hit on the wrist by a pitch on Sunday during a rehab game with Columbus.
"It's not broken or anything, but he got a pretty good whack, so he's kind of day to day," Francona said.
The original plan was for Guyer to be activated on Monday. He'll still likely be activated during the series, but Francona isn't exactly sure when.