Johnny Damon set to join Indians

Published Apr. 30, 2012 2:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Outfielder Johnny Damon will join the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday for their three-game series in Chicago.

The Indians signed Damon to a minor league deal on April 17 and it will become a one-year, $1.25 million major league contract when he's added to the 40-man roster. The 38-year-old has spent the past two weeks at Cleveland's training facility in Goodyear, Ariz., preparing to play after not being in a training camp.

The Indians will have to clear a roster spot to make room for him.

Damon, who needs 277 hits to reach 3,000 for his career, is expected to split playing time with Shelley Duncan in left field. The Indians are leading the AL Central, but are struggling to score with just 17 runs in the past seven games.

Also, the Indians have not homered in 11 consecutive games. According to STATS LLC, it's the third longest drought in the majors since 2000. The team record is 14 straight games in 1983.

The team originally planned to have Damon play some minor league games before joining them. However, with their offense in a rut, the Indians could be hoping Damon can give their lineup a jolt.

Damon batted .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs last season for Tampa Bay.