Cleveland activates Zach Plesac from IL to pitch vs. Royals

Cleveland Indians fans may be shocked to read some actual good news during what's been a disastrous run for a club once thought to be a contender in the American League Central race. 

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Cleveland confirmed that starting pitcher Zach Plesac was activated from the injured list and will take the bump for Thursday's home game against the Kansas City Royals. Manager Terry Francona explained Plesac will throw "60ish'' pitches as he works to build back arm strength lost over the past month and a half. 

Plesac suffered a reported freak non-displaced fracture in his right thumb while "aggressively ripping off his shirt" following a poor outing versus the Minnesota Twins on May 23 and hasn't pitched since. He's 4-3 with a 4.14 ERA in 10 starts on the campaign. 

Cleveland, meanwhile, has lost nine straight contests and 11 of its last 12 to drop to 42-42 and eight games back of the first-place Chicago White Sox in the division standings.