ST. PETERSBURG -- In his fourth game back from a right hamstring strain, Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis experienced tightness in the same hamstring and was taken out of Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Rays in the fourth inning.
After Kipnis met with trainers, manager Terry Francona said the injury is of the day-to-day variety.
"I think it was more precautionary than anything, at least that's the hope," Francona said. "With those types of things, we'll certainly know more tomorrow."
Kipnis hit a ground-rule double in the top of the fourth, lashing one down the left-field line that bounced over the short wall in the corner. He later moved up one base on a fielder's choice. He did not join the team on defense in the bottom half of the inning, with Jose Ramirez sliding over to Kipnis' position at second and Giovanny Urshela taking over at third.
The Indians activated Kipnis off the disabled list on Sunday, after he missed 22 games with a right hamstring strain he suffered running out a ground ball July 8. Before exiting Thursday, he was 2-for-15 since his return.