Indians lose Swisher, Santana to DL; Call up Kottaras, Aguilar

By foxsports
Published

The Indians will be without two more regulars in their lineup after Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana were placed on the disabled list on Tuesday while George Kottaras and Jesus Aguilar were brought up from Triple-A Columbus.

Santana was placed on the seven-day DL retroactive to Monday due to concussion-like symptoms that he began to experience after being struck in the head by a foul tip on Sunday at Baltimore when he started at catcher. This is Santana's third trip to the disabled list and his second stint on the seven-day DL.

Santana had hits in four of his last six games, including a two-run double in the 13th inning at Baltimore on Thursday. However, his batting average is at .159.

Swisher has been bothered by left knee soreness for much of the past week. He missed two games at Baltimore but had played the past two days before being removed from Monday's game at Chicago in the eighth inning.

Since being moved down in the batting order, Swisher had raised his average 15 points to .211 and had hits in five of the past six games. This is his second stint on the DL but first since 2005.

Against the White Sox on May 4, Kottaras became the first Indians batter in franchise history to hit a home run in his first two plate appearances. Aguilar was with the Tribe for four games from May 15-19 and went 1 for 7 with a pair of RBI.

With Swisher out, there is the possibility that Lonnie Chisenhall could see more time at first base. Chisenhall has played there twice in late innings already.

The Indians plan to Jason Kipnis off the DL on Wednesday. He played nine innings at Columbus on Monday and was 0 for 4. Kipnis, who has been on the DL since May 2 with a strained right oblique, has played three rehab games with the Clippers. The Tribe face the White Sox Tuesday and Wednesday before having a day off on Thursday. They begin a six-game homestand Friday against Colorado.

The Indians also made one additional roster move on Tuesday, designating pitcher Blake Wood for assignment.