SEATTLE -- Catcher Yan Gomes, who came out of Tuesday's game after being hit in the groin with a foul tip, is improving but was held out of the starting lineup again Thursday night for the finale of the four-game series against the Mariners at Safeco Field.
"We sent him back just a little bit ago to get another ultrasound just to make sure there wasn't any hemorrhaging or anything, but he's OK," manager Terry Francona said. "He's still sore, but getting better. I think we're going to try to ramp up the activity today with the hope that he could … I don't know about being available tonight, that might be a stretch. It wouldn't surprise me if he could catch tomorrow, but we'll see."
Chris Gimenez got the start again behind the plate. Carlos Santana is the Indians' emergency catcher.
Right-hander Danny Salazar, who missed his scheduled Tuesday start because of shoulder fatigue, is on track to make his next start Sunday against the Angels.
Even though the Indians lost, 7-1, Tuesday night when Cody Anderson was called up from Triple-A for a spot start, Francona said the team and Salazar would be better off because of the rest.
"We lost that game the other night, which we never want to do, but I think bumping him back is going to [pay] dividends," Francona said.
Salazar is 6-3 in 11 starts with a 2.24 ERA, best in the American League.