CLEVELAND: Indians outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall was placed on the bereavement list on Friday and outfielder Tyler Naquin was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.
According to Indians manager Terry Francona, there was a death in Chisenhall’s immediate family to which he is attending. Chisenhall is eligible to remain on the bereavement list for three-to-seven days, meaning he could return Sunday.
“You try to balance certainly being supportive, but also being respectful,” Francona said. “The plan is he’ll be back Sunday afternoon, but we also told him to do what you need to do.”
Chisenhall this season is hitting .255 with a .630 OPS in 17 games after starting the year on the disabled list.
Naquin won a spot on the roster out of spring training but was optioned to Columbus on May 7. In his first 22-game stint with the Indians, he hit .315 with two doubles, two triples and two RBI. He also has begun to receive time in right field in the minors.
“He did it in college, but if we want to put him out there in a game here, I just would feel better,” Francona said. “We’ve done it in spring training before. I just didn’t think it would hurt.”
Slowing down
In addition to Chisenhall’s absence, the Indians were in need of an extra outfielder for a few days. Michael Brantley remained out of the starting lineup on Friday as he continues to rest his surgically repaired shoulder.
Brantley didn’t play Tuesday or Wednesday in Houston, either, as his shoulder hasn’t responded well to extended playing time. The Indians hope to have more clarity on Brantley’s situation by Saturday afternoon.
“I think we will certainly do whatever the medical staff tells us we should do,” Francona said. “I think the DL is probably a bit premature. But like I said, we’ll do whatever we’re supposed to. He’s doing pretty good. I think we just want to make sure he can continue to play when he does and not have to have setbacks. That’s not fair to him.”
Brantley has gotten off to a slow start since being activated off the disabled list, hitting .231 with two doubles in 39 at-bats. In spring training, Brantley appeared in two Cactus League games, but was then shut down.
Back on the mound
Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco threw his first side session on Friday after straining his left hamstring on April 24, which sidelined him for an expected four-to-six weeks. He’ll throw another side session on Monday and then, possibly, a simulated game.
“The fact that he’s doing that is good, actually great,” Francona said. “He’s doing really well with all his stuff. We’ll just kind of listen to him and the medical people, but he’s doing very well — probably 80-percent running, which I think is really well for the time period.”
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ