Indians continue to evaluate Bourn's injury

CLEVELAND -- The Indians planned on using Monday to continue to evaluate Michael Bourn's recovery from his latest hamstring setback.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona indicated that Bourn was scheduled to "go hard" in running drills prior to Monday's game against the Twins in order to test his left hamstring. Bourn exited Saturday's win over the White Sox in the third inning due to tightness in the leg.

"We've got to see how he feels, and he's the one that has to tell us," Francona said. "We just want to make him understand that he's got to be honest, and then we'll sit down with him and make decisions. That's kind of how we always do things."

The Indians will need to make a roster move on Tuesday in order to promote right-hander Josh Tomlin to start against Minnesota. It is possible that Cleveland could option outfielder Nyjer Morgan, if Bourn is deemed ready to go. Third-string catcher George Kottaras is also vulnerable, though he would need to be designated for assignment.

If Bourn's injury lingers into Tuesday, placing him on the disabled list is also a possibility. The center fielder opened this season on the 15-day DL with a left hamstring strain, which he sustained during Spring Training. Bourn tore the same hamstring on the final game of the regular season last year and underwent surgery on Oct. 15.

Francona said the hope is that the injury does not continue to create problems throughout this season.

"It has crept up now a couple times," Francona said. "I think, from talking to the trainers, the hope is that there's just some scar tissue that is in there, and he's going to feel it sometimes. If that's all it is, we're good to go. That's the hope."