Designated hitter Jason Giambi will be out for at least 3-4 weeks. An MRI this week revealed a non-displaced rib fracture on his right side.
Giambi was hit by a pitch during the third inning of last Friday's game against the Cubs and has experienced increased discomfort the past week. An X-ray revealed nothing but the MRI did. Many have wondered what this would do for the bench spots going into the March 31 opener at Oakland but manger Terry Francona said it has no impact at the moment.
"On the good side he's engaged to get well as quick as he can," Francona said. "Sometimes the challenge is not just what he is doing but putting a team together. He's very special but you have to make sure you compliment it."
Francona was pleased with Carlos Santana's fielding performance on Wednesday and said he wasn't sure how many third basemen could make the play that he did to get San Diego's Chris Denorfia. Santana gets his first work two straight days at third today when the Tribe takes on the Royals.
Today's lineup
Bourn CF
Swisher 1B
Kipnis 2B
Santana 3B
Brantley LF
Murphy DH
Francoeur RF
Sellers SS
Treanor C
Pitchers: McAllister, Price, Atchison, Pestano, Wood, Guilmet
