Cleveland Indians Injury Notes: Jack Hannahan Set to Begin Rehab Assignment

According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Jack Hannahan is set to make his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Columbus.  Hannahan is currently on the disabled list with a strained calf.  The disabled list stint came after nearly two weeks of rehabbing a sore back.

Hannahan was hitting ..276/.353/.419 at the time of the injury.  The third baseman had the best year of his career last year when he put up a 103 OPS+.  This year, he is one pace to do even better.  The Indians come into today just a half game back of the White Sox, and Hannahan’s eventual return to the lineup should provide a much-needed boost.

It’s uncertain how many rehab games Hannahan will need before he returns to the big league club, but he is eligible for return tomorrow.   Tonight’s game with Columbus will help the Indians evaluate Hannahan’s injury and recovery.

Hannahan was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2001.  He was then traded to the Oakland A’s in 2007, traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2009, traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2010, and finally signed as a free agent by the Indians in December of 2010.  He has a lifetime .235/.320/.419 line.

The Indians have been using Jose Lopez and Lonnie Chisenhall to fill in for Hannahan.  Chisenhall was called-up to fill the roster spot when Hannahan was placed on the disabled list.  The Indians have not said if Chisenhall or someone else will be sent down to make room when Hannahan comes off the DL>

Cleveland is off today, but they start a three game series against the Reds in Cincinnati starting tomorrow.  They enter play tomorrow with just one less win than the White Sox and even in the loss column.

For more on the Indians, check out Wahoo’s on First.