Bourn scratched from Saturday's lineup with neck strain

CLEVELAND -- Indians center fielder Michael Bourn showed up to the ballpark with a sore neck on Saturday, following a hard slide into the plate during Friday night's game.

Bourn was scratched from the lineup with what Cleveland described as a neck strain, but Indians manager Terry Francona was hopeful that the center fielder would be recovered enough to suit up for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

"He's doing better," Francona said after the Tribe's 11-4 loss to Toronto on Saturday. "I think he'll be good to go tomorrow. His neck was stiff. He was examined and everything. I think we thought that one day would do him a lot of good."

During the fourth inning of Cleveland's 9-4 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday night, Bourn attempted to score from first base on a double to right field by Mike Aviles. On the play, Bourn lost his helmet and slid head first into home, slamming his head on the ground in the process.

Bourn remained in the game and was in the original lineup for Saturday, but was replaced roughly 45 minutes before the game by outfielder Tyler Holt. Prior to batting practice on Saturday, Francona said Bourn was shaken up on the play.

"He bumped the side of his head," Francona said. "I think it just kind of rang his bell for a second."

Through 21 games this season, Bourn has hit .202 with five RBIs and eight runs scored for the Indians, and he was recently moved from the leadoff spot to the bottom of the order. Bourn was slated to play center and hit ninth on Saturday, but Holt assumed both roles for the Tribe with the 32-year-old veteran out of the mix.

Bourn was initially ruled safe on the fourth-inning play at the plate on Friday, but Blue Jays manager John Gibbons challenged the call, which was then overturned. Prior to Saturday's game, Francona said he did not feel there was conclusive evidence to overturn the call.

"Man, I still think it's hard to overturn," Francona said.