CLEVELAND -- Jason Kipnis is in the one spot he despises the most -- the disabled list.
After being optimistic on Wednesday that it could only be a couple days, an MRI on Thursday revealed that the right oblique injury Kipnis suffered on Tuesday was worse than originally thought and placed him on the 15-day disabled list before Friday's game against the White Sox. To take Kipnis' place, the Indians called up Jose Ramirez from Columbus.
"It is a little bit like a hamstring injury. You have to let it fully recover and slowly work your way back. If you reinjure it you are back at square one," Kipnis said on Friday. "It is a day-to-day process and feel it as it goes.
"Watch how much this training crew hates me after a week. I don't like sitting back and feeling helpless. I'm going to do what is going to be needed to be done and get back out there as soon as possible."
Kipnis suffered the injury during an at-bat in the fourth inning of Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. He immediately felt like something was wrong after making contact on a Jerod Weaver pitch where he grounded into a double play and was taken out of the game.
In 27 games, Kipnis is tied for sixth in the American League with 17 walks but was hitting .234 with three home runs and 12 RBI.
Francona and general manager Chris Aontonetti said the timetable on Kipnis' return is 3-5 weeks. As for who will take over, Francona said he would mix and match with Mike Aviles, Elliot Johnson and Ramirez.
Aviles, who is batting .240, has started 16 games but half of those have been at third. He did start at second in the second game of a doubleheader in Oakland on April 2. Johnson is starting at second tonight for the second straight game. He is batting .133 but went 1 for 3 with a double on Wednesday.
At Columbus, Ramirez has played 14 games at second but he also has versatility at short (eight) and third (one game). He batted .319 with three doubles, four home runs and 17 RBI.
Said Francona of Ramirez: "He's impacting the games with his glove, bat, legs and energy. It's exciting to get a look at him for a little bit."
