Arcia back in action for Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS -- Outfielder Oswaldo Arcia, who bruised his right knee during batting practice on Monday, returned to the lineup on Friday night against the Indians.

Arcia sustained the injury while jumping up against the wall to make a catch during outfield drills, and a precautionary MRI was performed on Wednesday.

The results were clean, and he was able to serve as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning on Thursday night. But he struck out on three pitches with two runners on to end the game, a 6-5 Minnesota loss.

Arcia made his return at designated hitter and batted cleanup on Friday. Manager Ron Gardenhire said that Arcia is healthy enough that he didn't even ask him if he was ready to play.

"He was fine last night," Gardenhire said. "He swung good in the cage and felt great during [batting practice] and ran around the bases."

Arcia, 22, is hitting .254/.307/.435 with 14 homers, 17 doubles and 43 RBIs in 96 games as a rookie this year.