The slumping Cleveland Indians activated slugger Travis Hafner from the 15-day disabled list Friday.
Hafner had been sidelined since May 17 with a strained oblique muscle. He was 3-for-6 in a brief minor league rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Columbus.
Hafner was batting .345 with five homers and 22 RBI before the injury. Cleveland was 10-18 without him.
Hafner's return could have had better timing. He will play in home series vs. Pittsburgh and Colorado but will be relegated to pinch hitting when the Indians go on a nine-game road trip vs. National League teams.
To make room on the roster for Hafner, the Indians optioned outfielder Travis Buck to Columbus. Buck was batting .226 with two homers and eight RBI and was hitless in his last 20 at-bats.
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