GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- On Sunday Jason Kipnis was slated to join the Cleveland Indians on their trip to Mesa, Ariz. to play the Chicago Cubs where the plan was to DH him in a Cactus League exhibition game. Then, plans changed.
Manager Terry Francona announced that Kipnis has been dealing with a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for the next four to five days. Francona did mention that the Indians medical staff does not view this as something that is serious.
Kipnis was given a cortisone shot and is hopeful for a speedy return to game action. Leading up to this point, Kipnis was limited during infield drills and while he did take some grounders he was rarely throwing.
In 2015 Kipnis spent time on the DL with right shoulder inflammation.
Kipnis is coming off an impressive 2016 season that saw the Indians play to Game 7 of the World Series against the Cubs. Kipnis set new career highs in home runs with 23, extra-base hits with 68 and runs with 91.
Chris Colabello will DH on Sunday in Kipnis' place.
The Indians and Cubs meet for the first time since the 2016 World Series in Mesa, Ariz. First pitch is set for 3:05 pm ET and can be heard on Newsradio WTAM 1100.
- Nick Camino