On a day they lost their designated hitter for at least two weeks, the Indians came up short offensively in a 6-5 loss to Boston in 10 innings. Prior to the game, the Indians announced they were putting Travis Hafner on the disabled list.
Hafner has soreness and fatigue in his right shoulder, the same injury that caused him to miss most of last season and eventually required surgery last October. Manager Eric Wedge said the team expected that Hafner might have a setback in his comeback this year, and that it's not uncommon following shoulder surgery. However, losing a key bat is cause for concern.
Hafner struggled to hit for any power in spring training, but he showed signs of his old self in the first two weeks of the season. He goes on the DL with a batting average of .270, with four home runs and eight RBIs.
Wedge said he noticed Hafner's swing was "not quite the same" the last few days. Wedge gave Hafner consecutive days off Sunday and Monday. Hafner played Tuesday but was placed on the DL Wednesday when his shoulder apparently did not respond.
RED SOX 6, INDIANS 5 (10 innings): RHP Jensen Lewis gave up a home run to OF Jonathan Van Every in the 10th inning that was the difference in the game, a game the Indians led at one time 5-0. 3B Mark DeRosa and DH Kelly Shoppach homered for the Indians, who were held scoreless on one hit over the last six innings.
