The Indians’ Travis Hafner has had a tough year; he was off to a good start when he missed several weeks earlier this season with an oblique strain.
On Sunday, Hafner departed the Indians’ game against the Tigers with a foot injury and was placed on the DL on Monday.
Tuesday, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets that it could get worse for Hafner and the Tribe:
Surgery is a possibility for Travis Hafner and injured right foot. It would be season-ending if he needs it. Should know in few days.
The injury sounds fairly serious, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com:
Hafner suffered strained peroneal tendon in “plantar aspect” (see: bottom) of his right foot. Currently in walking boot.
If the Indians want to make a last-gasp run at the AL Central title, they could put in a claim for DH Jim Thome, who has been waived by the Twins, according to Hoynes:
The Twins reportedly have put Thome, who recently hit his 600th career homer, on waivers. [GM Chris] Antonetti was asked if the Indians had interest in Thome, given Hafner’s injury and the Indians’ shaky standing in the AL Central race. Antonetti said: “I’m not getting into specific guys. To the extent that we can help the team, we will continue to try.”
Thome played 12 seasons in Cleveland and helped lead them to six postseasons; he is beloved there and is the Indians’ all-time franchise leader in home runs with 334. If nothing else, reacquiring Thome would surely bring a few more fans to Progressive Field the rest of the year.