Aviles reinstated ahead of second-half opener

CLEVELAND -- The Indians announced Thursday that they reinstated infielder Mike Aviles from the Family Medical Emergency list after optioning infielder Jose Ramirez to Triple-A Columbus following the conclusion of Sunday's first-half finale against Oakland.

The move comes a day before the club begins its second half with a 7:10 ET first pitch in Cincinnati, the first of a three-game set.

Aviles was placed on the list July 11 to tend to his 4-year-old daughter, Adriana, as she undergoes chemotherapy for leukemia. He had previously been away from the team for 10 days from May 8-17 for the same reason.

Ramirez started the first-half finale, going 0-for-3 while batting ninth and playing second base. After struggling to begin the season as the everyday starter at shortstop for the Major League club, Ramirez hit well in Triple-A, posting a .349/.415/.477 slash line in 125 plate appearances. The team plans to begin giving him playing time in the outfield as he transitions to a future utility role, with Francisco Lindor entrenched as the teams' everyday shortstop.

Aviles has hit .250/.307/.354 with four home runs and a steal in 181 plate appearances with the Indians this season, serving as team's utility man of the present.