Indians activate Raburn from bereavement list
Walters optioned to Triple-A Columbus
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Indians activated Ryan Raburn prior to Saturday's game against the Twins, following the veteran's stay on Major League Baseball's bereavement list since Tuesday.
Utility man Zach Walters, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus while Raburn was away from the team, was optioned back to Columbus on Saturday.
In 67 games this season, the 34-year-old Raburn has hit .283 with five home runs, 13 doubles and 24 RBIs in his third season with the Indians. Raburn has hit at a .300 clip with a .908 OPS through 136 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this year.
Prior to Saturday's game, the Indians also recalled right-hander Josh Tomlin from Columbus in order for him to start against the Twins. Following Friday's 6-1 win in Minnesota, the Tribe optioned rookie reliever Shawn Armstrong to Triple-A to open a roster spot for Tomlin, who is assuming the rotation spot vacated by starter Cody Anderson (15-day disabled list due to a left oblique strain). Anderson will meet up with the team in Boston and might be cleared for a bullpen session on Monday.
Smoke signals
• Indians manager Terry Francona noted that veteran utility man Mike Aviles has played through a left wrist issue for the past several weeks. Aviles, who received a cortisone shot a little less than two weeks ago, went 3-for-4 in Friday's win over the Twins. He had hit .113 (6-for-53) in his previous 20 games.
Video: CLE@MIN: Aviles drives an RBI double to left-center
"He had definitely fought it for a [few] weeks," Francona said. "Obviously, you can see he's [doing] better. You can see a little more life. That's kind of what guys do. They want to play. He understands his role and he takes it pretty serious, but it hurt his batting average. That's part of what good players do."
• Outfielder Michael Brantley (left shoulder) was back with the team on Saturday after having his shoulder examined in Cleveland on Friday. Brantley was scheduled to receive treatment on Saturday and take batting practice on Sunday. Francona said the outfielder might return to the lineup on Monday in Boston.
• All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis (15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation) played catch, hit and ran the bases on Saturday. Francona said Kipnis might be ready to be activated on Monday in Boston.
• Corey Kluber's one-hitter against the Twins on Friday was the fifth game this season in which the Indians have allowed only one hit. That team mark ties the 1964 Orioles and 1914 White Sox for the most games in one season with no more than one hit surrended, dating back to at least 1914.